NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 9, 2026

Belinda Bencic

Mixed Zone

B. BENCIC/A. Eala

6-4, 6-0

Q. Obviously Alex came in on this big win streak, and one of the things that was difficult for them to solve was her serve, because it's a little bit slower and more tricky. You solved it today, what do you think led to that?

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, I mean, I think with every lefty it's a little bit trickier to return. Yeah, I'm really happy with the way I returned. I think it's maybe one of my biggest strengths, so I think that helps.

I'm also glad that I played a lefty at the round before. I felt like I had a little bit more problems against Taylor with the serve. But, yeah, we had a really good performance today.

Q. Was it difficult to recover from that long match against Taylor, or were you able to get back to a hundred percent for tonight?

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, obviously I feel more tired than I was 18, that's for sure. You know, I was saying that when I played here at 18 years old, I remember I was playing every day, and I remember in the morning I was doing like fitness sessions and then playing the match.

Now, I play a tough three-set match, and I almost feel like, Okay, I feel it in my body. But it's nothing unusual, and I'm happy I recovered well.

I do feel like I'm not up to fitness yet, because I had some challenges after Wimbledon a little bit, not being able to practice so much. So I still feel like I can get better for US Open. But I'm happy I overcame it, and obviously today I didn't feel like anything bothered me physically, so that was good.

Q. You were playing so well, can you tell me how you were able to solve Eala today? I mean, what worked for you? I mean, you win that close first set, and then actually were able to dominate that second set.

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, I think obviously it's always tricky to play a lefty, so I was really prepared for that. I was prepared basically for the opposite. Like, it's like mirror, you know, everything is opposite, you know, the spins and everything. But I feel like I solved that pretty well and I felt good in my rhythm.

But of course she plays really good. I feel like she takes the ball early as well like me. So I think that's a little bit similar in our games.

But I hope that I also made some troubles for her not to be able to play so well.

So, yeah, in the second set I really felt good with my game, and I tried to be aggressive and put her under pressure and, yeah.

Q. Regarding the crowd, were you mentally preparing yourself to play against a really loud audience cheering her on?

BELINDA BENCIC: You know, I never really minded that. Because, you know, whenever I played Serena, you know, a couple years ago, and I also in Fed Cups played against France and Brazil, I really like it, I embrace it. I definitely prefer this over a crowd that's not really interested, or that is a little bit quiet.

Obviously I know they were cheering for her, which was super nice, and the atmosphere was great. So I kind of just tried to focus on myself, and also embrace it like for myself.

I was mentally prepared, but it's not something that bothers me so much.

Q. Up next for you is Coco Gauff. You played her a lot of times in the past two years, it seems like.

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, tell me about it.

Q. How are you feeling? You played her so often, are you feeling eager for revenge, or are you thinking, Oh, no, again?

BELINDA BENCIC: (Laughing). Both at the same time. No, I mean, obviously she's someone that always puts herself in the position to be in the quarterfinals and later in the tournament.

Obviously she's a great champion, and she's very tricky to play against.

I feel like I came close so many times, but always kind of loss in the third set. Not kind of, I lost. It's really a challenge to play against her, so I'm excited to try again and try to maybe do a little bit different or just challenge her again. So, yeah, I'm excited.

Q. I was listening to the on-court interview and I didn't know that you have a 10-match win streak against lefties.

BELINDA BENCIC: I didn't know that either.

Q. Curious, just, I guess you were asked about why do you think that is, but can you elaborate a little more. It can't be coincidental, I don't think.

BELINDA BENCIC: It's weird for me as well because I really hate playing lefties. It's just not comfortable. Like, all the game you are uncomfortable.

But I feel like, because I have good timing, I'm kind of able to switch. I think that's the only thing I can think of. Because I really don't like playing lefties. I mean, if you would ask me if I would rather play a righty, I would say yes. So I don't really know.