By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Belinda Bencic is excited to get out of her comfort zone with new coach Dmitry Tursunov.
The former World No.4 is currently in Mexico, taking part in the Guadalajara Akron Open and spending her first week with the Russian at the head of her team.
Bencic, who defeated Leylah Fernandez 7-5, 6-7(10), 6-3 on Monday night, will take on Sloane Stephens in the second round.
She says that Tursunov is helping her challenge herself already.
Bencic undoubtedly paid close attention to the success that Tursunov had when he guided Aryna Sabalenka and Anett Kontaveit to career high rankings, and wanted a piece of what the former World No.20 had to offer.
"I saw the partnerships he had with other players and he had great success,” she told WTA Insider. “His way of coaching is a way that can help me. I strongly believe it can be good. Also with the talks and on the court it has to click. I think it's early for that, but I'm absolutely sure that it's going to work out well and I'm going to try and do everything for it.”
Bencic, who is also coached by her dad Ivan, says she doesn’t mind Tursunov casting a critical eye on her game. She prefers it that way actually.
"I think he's very clear-headed and tries to mentally get you to see things differently than you see now," Bencic said. "He's very honest and tough in things, but that's precisely what I need. I don't need someone to talk about everything but the point. I can see this can be the thing that I need to have a different perspective."