Belinda Bencic: Swiss ace makes Roger Federer admission ahead of Dubai final
BELINDA BENCIC says she wants to be as calm as Roger Federer as she looks to win the Dubai Tennis Championships for the first time.
Roger Federer trains ahead of Dubai Tennis Championships
Bencic reached the final in Dubai with an impressive three-set win over Elina Svitolina.
The Swiss will play Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova on Saturday, in her first WTA Premier Mandatory final since 2016.
Injuries have hampered Bencic’s progress in the last few years but the world number 45 is making her up the rankings again.
And she is using the time she spent with Federer at the Hopman Cup to help inspire her.
“I'm trying to be as calm as him,” Bencic told the WTA website.
“I know I'm far, far, far away from that. [But] I’m trying.”
In 2018 and 2019, Federer and Bencic have linked up together to win the Hopman Cup in Australia and built up a strong rapport.
And the 21-year-old says she is determined to build on the lessons learned in the mixed doubles competition.
“It would be wrong if it didn't help me,” she said.
“I definitely think the Hopman Cup gives me so much.
“It's actually my favourite event of the year, just playing with all those champions.
“There were so many this year; it's amazing to playing against them and with them. You can learn really so much.
“The event is just full of energy. It's great.”
Kvitova got the better of Bencic in Australia but the former world number seven says she is ready to give her all in the final.
She said: “I think I'm always the most proud of how I fight. Even when I lose, I learned to just look in the mirror and be proud of myself when I'm fighting, when I'm giving my all, when I'm trying to do what I have to do.
“I think I'll always be proud of that. I think that will be my No 1 goal, always.”