Bencic beats Jankovic to reach Topshelf Open final
Jun 13, 2015, 9:54 AM
S-HERTOGENBOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic remains on course for her first career title after beating veteran Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the grass-court Topshelf Open on Saturday.
The 18-year-old Bencic, who is seeded fourth, showed solid defense to save six of seven break points against her 30-year-old opponent. Bencic broke the second-seeded Serb at the first opportunity in the first set — and twice more in the second set.
She next faces fifth-seeded Camila Giorgi of Italy, who is also chasing her first career title after easily beating Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 6-2, 6-4.
Bertens double faulted nine times and had her serve broken twice in each set.
In men’s play, qualifier Nicolas Mahut — who won here in 2013 — beat local favorite Robin Haase 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the final.
Although Haase had more aces — 12 compared to six — Mahut forced eight break points and converted two.
The 33-year-old Frenchman, whose other title was also on grass two years ago at Newport in the United States, next meets either second-seeded David Goffin of Belgium or Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, who played later Saturday.
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