Belinda Bencic Powers Past Marcinko at Madrid Open—Olympic Champion’s Title Charge Heats Up

Swiss tennis star Belinda Bencic steps onto the red clay of the Caja Mágica today looking to extend her remarkable post-maternity surge when she meets Croatian teenager Petra Marcinko in the Mutua Madrid Open Round of 64. Bencic, now ranked No. 12 in the PIF WTA Rankings, has built steady momentum on clay since capturing a gritty three-set win over Dayana Yastremska in Charleston three weeks ago—a match that also produced viral scenes of the Olympic champion praising soon-to-be mother Ons Jabeur and speaking warmly about touring with her 2-year-old daughter, Bella. Key storylines fans will be watching in Madrid: • Form and fitness: Bencic’s heavy topspin forehand and improved first-serve percentage have delivered nine wins in her last eleven matches, including a title run in Abu Dhabi in February. • Motherhood momentum: Since returning to the tour just four months after giving birth, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist owns two WTA trophies and a 68 % win rate—numbers that have her closing in on a long-awaited return to the Top 10. • First meeting: Today marks her first career clash with 20-year-old Marcinko, a former junior No. 1 whose baseline aggression could test Bencic’s counter-punching instincts. • Swiss milestones: A deep Madrid run would give the 29-year-old her 350th tour-level victory and valuable points ahead of next month’s French Open, where she has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals. Fast facts for searchers: – Current ranking: No. 12 – 2026 record: 21-7 (5-2 on clay) – Next tournaments: Rome, Roland-Garros – Career titles: 11 WTA singles crowns With her trademark on-court composure now blended with the perspective of new motherhood, Belinda Bencic enters Madrid as one of the most compelling storylines in women’s tennis—and a dark-horse contender to upset the clay-court hierarchy in the weeks ahead.