"No one has ever moved like that in the woman’s game": Bencic full of praise for fourth round opponent Swiatek

Belinda Bencic praised her fourth-round opponent at the 2023 Wimbledon, Iga Swiatek.

The Swiss player reached the fourth round at Wimbledon for the third time in her career, after previous runs in 2015 and 2018 where she failed to advance further. This year, she achieved impressive victories over local player Katie Swan, Danielle Collins (in a third-set tiebreak), and the 23rd seed Magda Linette.

In the round of 16, she will face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who is considered the favorite in their matchup against the Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo 2020. Bencic has had a great year, winning two WTA 500 titles in Adelaide 2 and Abu Dhabi, in addition to reaching the final in Charleston 1 (where she lost to Ons Jabeur).

They have faced each other three times before, with Swiatek winning two matches and Bencic winning one. However, their only meeting in a Grand Slam resulted in a victory for the former world No. 4 at the fourth round of the 2021 US Open. Prior to their first-ever grass-court encounter, Bencic was asked about what impresses her the most about Swiatek:

“I think it’s her movement, absolutely,” the Swiss said.

”I think no one has ever moved like that in the woman’s game like her.”

Bencic also recalled her match in the United Cup earlier this year:

“I played her this year actually in United Cup in Brisbane. I think that was a really high-quality match. I think it was the second match for the season,” she said.

“My season went also I think really good, and of course, she’s the best in the world and she’s winning a lot of the matches. She is very consistent. I’m really up for the challenge. I’m excited to play her. I think I’m a player that I play well against, you know, top players.”

The match will be played on Sunday on Centre Court at a yet to be confirmed time, and the winner will await the match between Azarenka and Svitolina.