Google News
Lucky loser Elina Avanesyan was absolutely stunned after pulling off a shock French Open win over Belinda Bencic as the 20-year-old Russian admitted she was "still shaking" just moments after the match ended. Avanesyan, who was beaten in the French Open qualifying final round, sneaked into the main draw as a lucky loser.
In her Grand Slam debut, world No 134 Avanesyan shocked 12th-ranked Bencic 6-3 2-6 6-4. “I’m still shaking from the match. It was really special to play here and get another chance as a lucky loser. To fight for it.
I tried to believe in myself til the end. Belinda is amazing so I knew I had to do my best," Avanesyan said, via The Tennis Letter.
Elina Avanesyan on beating Belinda Bencic at Roland Garros: “I’m still shaking from the match.
It was really special to play here & get another chance as a Lucky Loser. To fight for it… I tried to believe in myself til the end. Belinda is amazing so I knew I had to do my best”🥹 pic.twitter.com/vw3Uyx9xjH — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 29, 2023
Avanesyan stunned Bencic
Avanesyan made a stunning start to the match, claiming back-to-back breaks to open a 4-0 lead.
Down by two breaks, Bencic responded as she got both breaks back to cut the deficit to 3-4. However, Avanesyan managed to keep her focus as the Russian broke Bencic again in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead before serving out for the first set in the following game.
After losing the first set, Bencic earned back-to-back breaks in the fourth and sixth games of the second set to open a comfortable 5-1 lead. Bencic failed to serve out for the second set in the seventh game but she earned her third break of the set in the eighth game to force a decider.
After winning the second set, Bencic also earned the first break of the third set in the sixth game to open a 4-2 lead. Down by a break in the third set, Avanesyan didn't panic as she responded by claiming back-to-back breaks in the seventh and ninth games to win four games in a row and complete a shock three-set win over Bencic. For Avanesyan, this was by far her biggest win.