By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Photograph credit: Jon Buckle/ROLEX
Belinda Bencic has made main profitable strides on Charleston’s clay.
The 2022 Charleston champion was the 2023 event runner-up.
After the previous Olympic gold-medal champion launched her quest for a second Charleston title with a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3 win over harmful Dayana Yastremska on Tuesday evening, Bencic shared a befuddling side of the clay-court recreation: She will be able to’t slide.
“I don’t know slide and I’m horrible at it,” Bencic advised the media in Charleston.
Extremely-skilled at moving into the courtroom and taking the ball on the rise, Bencic, who was previously coached by Melanie Molitor, Corridor of Famer Martina Hingis’ mother and authentic coach, stated she navigates slide struggles by making an attempt to play off the entrance foot.
“I don’t suppose I’m one of the best mover on clay, however I hope that my recreation could be aggressive sufficient to not want it a lot,” Bencic stated. “I’m nonetheless making an attempt to enhance as greatest as I can, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a problem for me.”
