The tragedy came at the end of the first set as Belinda Bencic struggled to come back from the break deficit. When trying to return, the 25-year-old slipped and injured her ankle. Despite a longer break and a thick bandage, she lost the first set shortly afterwards. A little later she had to throw in the towel. She gave up the last game of the game severely handicapped after three double faults.
The 15th final on the WTA tour, the second in a row in Berlin, did not bring the 7th WTA title. But at least Bencic was not seriously injured. After the task, she made a good face about the bad game: With a smile, she congratulated her in-form opponent. Ons Jabeur claimed her second title of the year and will move up to No. 3 in the world rankings on Monday.
“I’m still very satisfied with my week”
For Bencic it was the second defeat in the final in Berlin after last year’s defeat by the Russian Ludmilla Samsonowa. “I’m still very happy with my week. My level is right,” said Bencic, who beat world number six Maria Sakkari in the semifinals after a three-hour fight. “I hope now that it will be enough for the title next year,” Bencic looks ahead.
What happens next for the Olympic champion depends on the severity of the injury. It’s quite possible that she will miss the tournament in Bad Homburg, where she should play against Sabine Lisicki in the first round next week. She will not take any risks a week before the start of Wimbledon.
