By Richard Pagliaro Thursday, January 22, 2026
Image source: Australian Open Facebook
Belinda Bencic Fall victim to a familiar tennis truth: What you don’t know can hurt you.
Qualifier Nikolai Bartonkova Recovered from the bagel to beat Bencic 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 to advance to the third round of the Australian Open in her Grand Slam main draw debut.
It was a stunning setback for Bencic, who posted a 5-0 record for Melbourne that included wins over Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini to earn Fed Cup MVP honors.
Former Olympic gold medalist Bencic is the first women’s No. 10 seed to lose.
The 19-year-old Batenkova defeated Russian-born Australian Darya Kasatkina in the first round to win her first career Grand Slam main draw victory, and today she defeated Bencic in the final.
At this time last year, Batenkova was ranked 493rd, but today at the critical moment, she showed veteran composure. Batongkova scored 40 winning goals in this game, 15 more than Bencic.
In the deciding game, while trailing 2-3, Batongkova hit an ace and a forehand winner to tie the score at 3.
The world No. 126 held on to the baseline and beat Bencic at his own game to achieve a decisive breakthrough. Batongkova hit four consecutive winners to tie the score at 5-4 and reach 15 points, making the ANZ Arena fans cheer.
Batenkova scored eight of the final nine points to earn her second career top-50 victory in 2 hours and 12 minutes.
When Bencic’s final forehand hit the net, Batongkova dropped to her knees and smacked the blue court with her palms in celebration.
As an outstanding junior player, Batongkova lost to American Clevie Ngunue in the 2023 Wimbledon women’s singles final and finished runner-up. This match took place a year after she reached the French Open women’s singles semifinals.
Now, Batenkova is making her mark at the professional level.
The Czech teenager will try to maintain her magical first Grand Slam run when she meets former AO doubles champion and 21st seed Elise Mertens in the fourth round.
