Lucky loser Elina Avanesyan comments on shock French Open win over Belinda Bencic



by DZEVAD MESIC

Lucky loser Elina Avanesyan comments on shock French Open win over Belinda Bencic

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.

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.

Elina Avanesyan French Open Belinda Bencic