Belinda Bencic took the opening set 6-4 against Elina Svitolina after a tense and uneven start in which both players had chances to seize control. The Swiss player, serving for the set at the second attempt, initially struggled to settle and fell behind 0-30, but responded with her first ace of the day to steady herself.
Svitolina, seeded 11th, continued to apply pressure and nearly broke back momentum with a series of deep, aggressive returns. Bencic saved a break point when Svitolina’s attempted lob landed long after a volley exchange at the net. The Ukrainian then pushed again at deuce as a sharp crosscourt forehand drew an error wide into the alley, but Bencic survived that danger too.
Svitolina’s resistance on the return game kept the set alive, yet she was unable to fully capitalize on her opportunities. Bencic earned set point with a standout moment of touch and imagination, producing a delicate drop shot from deep in the court. However, she missed the chance to close immediately when a forehand flew long, extending the tension.
At the decisive moment, Bencic showed greater composure. She stepped into a backhand early, found the line with precision, and then finished the set with a clean backhand winner down the line on the next point. The set featured multiple shifts in momentum, with both players showing flashes of quality and nerves, but Bencic handled the pressure better when it mattered most.
After just under 45 minutes, the Swiss player had the opening set in the bag, 6-4, giving her an important advantage in the contest.
