Belinda Bencic received an incredible birthday gift at Indian Wells after defeating 13th seed Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round of the tournament. The Swiss star turned 28 on Monday, celebrating in the best way possible both on and off the court.
The former world No. 4 has made a remarkable comeback in 2025 after taking a break from her career for the birth of her first daughter, Bella. Several players have returned to high-level competition after becoming mothers, but not all manage to regain top form as Bencic has.
Bencic landed 61% of her first serves, winning 71% of them, while Shnaider had a 70% first-serve percentage but won only 43% of those points. The Swiss player pulled off a mentally tough victory against an opponent who rarely loses her composure. In the end, Bencic secured six breaks compared to Shnaider’s four, sealing a 6-4, 6-4 win.
Match Statistics Bencic vs. Shnaider
| Bencic | VS | Shnaider |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 1 | Aces | 1 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 61% (38/62) | 1st Service Percentage | 70% (46/66) |
| 71% (27/38) | 1st Service Points Won | 43% (20/46) |
| 33% (8/24) | 2nd Service Points Won | 45% (9/20) |
| 43% (3/7) | Break Points Saved | 45% (5/11) |
| 60% (6/10) | Service Games | 40% (4/10) |
| Return | ||
| 57% (26/46) | 1st Return Points Won | 29% (11/38) |
| 55% (11/20) | 2nd Return Points Won | 67% (16/24) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
Bencic now has 16 wins and just four losses this season. A few weeks ago, she claimed her first title as a mother, her sixth WTA 500 and ninth overall, after defeating American Ashlyn Krueger in Abu Dhabi—winning the same trophy she had lifted in 2023 but couldn’t defend due to her pregnancy.
Back in November 2024—just four months ago—Bencic wasn’t even ranked inside the top 1000. However, by playing a few smaller tournaments late last year, she managed to collect points that lifted her back into the top 500, finishing the season at No. 489. Still, climbing further up the rankings is the real challenge, and Bencic hasn’t needed much time to find the results that once made her a top-10 player for years.
The Tokyo 2021 gold medalist has already climbed to world No. 58 in the early part of the year, and with three consecutive wins at Indian Wells, she is guaranteed to leave the tournament ranked at least inside the top 50 (currently sitting at No. 49 in the live rankings).
Her next challenge will be a major test against world No. 3 Coco Gauff, who convincingly eliminated last year’s finalist Maria Sakkari. Bencic and Gauff already faced off this year in the Australian Open fourth round, where the Swiss played a flawless first set but couldn’t keep up with Gauff in the long run. The American claimed the victory 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-1.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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