Belinda Bencic fumes at umpire over time violation during defeat to Leylah Fernandez at Roland Garros

Leylah Fernandez is into the second week of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career after defeating Belinda Bencic in a feisty third-round clash at the French Open.
The last time Fernandez reached the fourth round of a major, she finished runner-up to Emma Raducanu at the US Open and she will be hoping to reach finals day again after seeing off the Swiss 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in just under three hours.
Fernandez the fighter 🇨🇦@leylahfernandez secures a first fourth round in Paris outfoxing Bencic 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in just under three hours#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/eem6PwewJX
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022
The duo twice traded breaks in the opening set with first the Canadian taking a 3-0 lead before Bencic stormed back to edge 5-4 ahead. However, Fernandez was back on serve in game 10 and a third break two games later earned her the set.
There was some drama midway through the match as Bencic criticised the chair umpire after she was handed a time violation, demanding that the official act “fair”.
“Just because she’s [Fernandez] playing in 10 seconds, I don’t have to be ready after 10 seconds, I have 15 seconds left,” she said.
“Do you think I can be ready in 10 seconds in this huge stadium? Do you want to explain to me why she is playing in 10 seconds?
“You cannot be stressing players like this. What option?
“I went to the towel once in the game, one time, I’m not going to the towel every point. You have to be fair now, you have to be fair.
“The time is something but the brain is something else.”
The reigning Olympic champion bounced back in the second set as she broke in games three and nine to take it to a decider and it looked like she would go on to win it after breaking in game two.
After being 40-0 down, Fernandez won five points in a row to break back and then took one step towards the win with a second break in game seven.
Bencic, though, fought back and broke back in game 10 only to lose her serve again in the next game before Fernandez went on to serve it out.
Up next for the 19-year-old is Amanda Anisimova after the American advanced when Karolina Muchova retired with the score 6-7 (7-9), 6-2 3-0.
Muchova fell and injured her ankle with the score 2-2 in the second set, but continued after receiving treatment. After losing five games in a row, the Czech retired.
Anisimova’s compatriot Coco Gauff also advanced as the 18-year-old defeated Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 6-3 while Raducanu’s conqueror Aliaksandra Sasnovich continued her slaying of Grand Slam champions as she defeated three-time major champion Angelique Kerbe 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Dan Evans battles bravely but Pablo Carreno Busta sets Hubert Hurkacz showdown
The British number two was eventually outlasted 7-5 6-7 6-2 across two hours and 58 minutes.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray gets Cinccinati boost, but handed tricky opener against old foe with Cameron Norrie also lurking
Andy Murray handed tough assignment in Cincinnati.
-
ATP Tour
Dan Evans vs Pablo Carreno Busta: How to watch Montreal semis as Evans looks to sneak into ATP top 20
A quick lowdown on the Canadian Masters semi-final and possible ATP Ranking changes.
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal ‘happy to be in Cincy’ as he finds out his path to possible glory at ATP Masters 1000 event
Rafael Nadal good to go in Cincinnati.
-
ATP Tour
Nick Kyrgios ‘doesn’t care’ about records as he admits parents’ illness and fatigue are weighing him down
Nick Kyrgios not concerned about his winning streak coming to an end as he is more worried about his parents.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Cincy draw: Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios could meet again, Dan Evans in line to face Stefanos Tsitsipas
This way for the draw of the 2022 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep ‘stays strong mentally’ to hold off ‘super nice and future Grand Slam champion’ Coco Gauff
Simona Halep overcomes edgy second set to beat Coco Gauff.
-
WTA Tour
WTA Cincinnati draw: Emma Raducanu to face Serena Williams in dream opening match
The Cincy draw has dished up a big one: Emma Raducanu vs Serena Williams
-
ATP Tour
Dan Evans continues his dream run to reach Montreal semi-final
He will face Pablo Carreno Busta after the Spaniard defeated British qualifier Jack Draper in straight sets.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Casper Ruud threatens career-best ranking
Casper Ruud is on the brink of a career-best ranking.