Sawt Falasteen - In-form Bencic makes light work of Boulter at Australian Open

Switzerland's Bencic, back in the top 10 for the first time since having a baby, was emphatic in winning the first set 6-0 in just 26 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.

The Briton made her work harder in the second set before the 10th seed came home 7-5.

The 28-year-old Bencic arrived in Melbourne on the back of winning all five singles matches at the mixed teams United Cup, including victories over world number two Iga Swiatek and seventh-ranked Jasmine Paolini.

It earned Bencic the event's most valuable player award and propelled her inside the world's top 10, somewhere she has not been since giving birth to daughter Bella in April 2024.

"It helped so much to start the season well," she said.

"I feel so comfortable here in Australia. The energy is great.

"I'm really trying to play the Australian Open for Team Switzerland," she added, referencing the vibe she felt playing for her country at the United Cup.

Bencic broke Boulter immediately and consolidated to love before breaking again to take firm control at the onset.

An out-of-sorts Boulter won just four points across the opening three games and it didn't get any better, with Bencic racing through the opening set.

Boulter, with fiance Alex De Minaur watching courtside, was a different player in the second set, finally finding some traction to hold serve in the opening game.

Broken again in game seven, Boulter bounced back immediately to make a match of it. But Bencic kept coming and ultimately was just too good.

Bencic was ranked 421 at the start of the 2025 season, but making the last 16 at the Australian Open a year ago convinced her she could return to the upper echelons of tennis.

Titles in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo saw her race back up the rankings.

Q.Bulbul--SF-PST