Bencic Not Intimidated by First-Round Date with Serena Williams

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Bencic Not Intimidated by First-Round Date with Serena Williams

Belinda Bencic tells media that she’s not bummed out about drawing Serena Williams in the first round of the Australian Open. The Swiss, a former World No.7 who reached the Round of 16 at Melbourne last year, says she is excited about opening her tournament on a big court in a match that will be widely viewed.

More: Australian Open, Women's Singles Draw Breakdown

“My first reaction was actually, like, really happy,” she told reporters. “So I think I'm super pumped, like excited I get to play on the big court, I guess. Yeah, like everyone is like, ‘Oh, bad luck with the draw.’ Me, I'm, like, pretty happy and excited about it.”

Bencic has split two career matches with Williams, Famously in 2015 she defeated Williams at the Rogers Cup semifinals. It is a victory that she still calls the biggest of her career and was part of a major push by Bencic that took her to the cusp of the Top 10.

Bencic would climb as high as No.7 in the world in 2016, but injuries to her back and wrist took her out of commission for spells and off her game.

She lost six out of her last seven matches last year and finished at No.43 in the world.

“Last year was very tough,” she said. “I got one injury, then it was a circle into the next one. I just didn't stop. I was really happy about it. I came back, didn't play very good. Now I think I'm really motivated to play, first of all. I'm so happy to be here. Physically I have nothing that bothers me, except this thing in Sydney. No, I think I'm pretty close to 100 percent.

Williams and Bencic will meet on Tuesday in Melbourne. The top half of the draw will begin play on Monday.

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