By Alberto Amalfi | Sunday, February 20, 2022

 

Nineteen-year-old Clara Tauson beat Belinda Bencic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a Doha second-round clash vs. third-seeded Paula Badosa.

Photo credit: Getty

Clara Tauson continues to make forceful first impressions.

In her Doha debut, Tauson torched seven aces and broke four times beating Belinda Bencic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

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The 19-year-old Tauson, who upset seventh-ranked Anett Kontaveit in her Australian Open debut last month, broke Olympic gold-medal champion Bencic for a 3-1 lead in the final set.

Facing one of the game's premier returns, Tauson won 12 of the last 13 points played on her serve in a one-hour, 57-minute victory.

"It was a very tough match," said Tauson, the second Danish woman after former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki to play the Doha main draw. "I know Belinda is playing very well so I had to play my best today, and I did sometimes,"

"I have my confidence but every match is really tough at this level, so I'm doing my best."

The 33rd-ranked Tauson, who improved to 4-4 vs. Top 30 opponents, advanced to a second-round clash vs. third-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa.



It was a positive day for American women.

Jessica Pegula pounded out a 6-3, 6-2 victory over world No. 1 doubles player Katerina Siniakova. Pegula plays Kaja Juvan next. The 21-year-old Slovenian swept Stefanie Voegele 6-4, 6-2. 

World No. 59 Ann Li pumped 14 aces upsetting 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 setting up a second-round meeting vs. sixth-seeded Maria Sakkari.

Madison Brengle turned back Turkish wild card Ipek Oz 7-5, 6-3. Brengle meets either former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka or Yulia Putintseva in round two.