Belinda Bencic was forced to withdraw from the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto ahead of her scheduled quarterfinal match against Coco Gauff due to a hip injury, sending the American teenager directly into the semifinals.
The sudden withdrawal brought an abrupt end to Bencic’s run at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada. According to tournament reports and local coverage, the Swiss player experienced acute physical trouble that made competing impossible.
Hip Injury Forces Late Withdrawal in Toronto
The 12th seed in the tournament, Bencic had advanced to the quarterfinals following a straight-sets victory over Alexandra Eala in the previous round. However, physical issues surfaced ahead of her match against Gauff. Despite extensive treatment efforts, the pain and lack of mobility proved insurmountable.
“I sincerely apologize to everyone who came out to cheer for us tonight,” Bencic stated, according to match reports. “I did everything possible to be ready, but I had hip problems. I tried to warm up, take medication, and apply tape, but nothing worked.”
The 2021 Olympic champion admitted that stepping onto the court under those physical constraints was out of the question. “I couldn’t move. Even if I went out onto the court, I wouldn’t be anywhere near my best. It wasn’t possible tonight,” she added, expressing disappointment over exiting the Canadian event in such a manner while signaling an intent to return in future years.
Coco Gauff Advances to Semifinals
With Bencic’s withdrawal, Coco Gauff received a walkover into the tournament semifinals. The outcome shortened Gauff’s path through the late stages of the WTA 1000 event, allowing the American to advance without striking a ball on the match court.
Tournament organizers and official schedules adjusted accordingly, while Gauff awaited the conclusion of other bracket matches to determine her next opponent in the penultimate round.
Next Steps at the National Bank Open
With the quarterfinal field disrupted by the late scratch, tournament officials turned focus to the remaining matches on the schedule. Gauff advances directly to the semifinal session, while Bencic begins her recovery timeline ahead of the upcoming hard-court stretch on the tennis calendar.
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