It took six match points, but Belinda Bencic has made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis.
The former world No.4, who gave birth last April, toppled 16th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 7-6(6) to advance to the second round of Australian Open 2025.
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Bencic saved two set points in the tiebreak and struck a total of 12 winners to Ostapenko’s 37 during their battle at 1573 Arena.
The Latvian, for whom major glory has proved elusive since her 2017 Roland Garros title, was undone by 55 unforced errors, more than double the 26 from the Swiss.
Bencic said her consistency was key, a quality that was starkly in contrast to Ostapenko's free swinging approach.
"Sometimes you're a spectator on your own court," she said, noting that the match was a good test.
The 27-year-old, who advanced to the round of 16 in Melbourne Park in 2016 and 2023, said she's feeling stronger both in matches and during practice and is pleased with her comeback so far.
Bencic next faces Suzan Lamens, who is competing in the main draw of a major for the first time.
“Hopefully I can have my best tennis in front of me,” said Bencic before the AO kicked off. “[I'm] excited to be back.”
During the twilight session, Jessica Pegula took just 59 minutes to sweep past Australian wildcard Maya Joint 6-3 6-0 in the pair’s first meeting.
“It’s always tough playing someone you don’t really know,” the seventh seed said. Pegula admitted she was aware of Joint’s wins over AO 2020 champion Sofia Kenin and AO 2023 semifinalist Magda Linette en route to the semifinals of the Hobart International last week.
The talented 18-year-old has a bright future, she added, noting that Joint's game is reminiscent of Bencic’s.
Still, the American didn’t face a break point against the Queenslander, and won 80 per cent of first serve points. “I just love the conditions here," she said.
“The weather, the atmosphere, the balls, the way the courts play, I feel like I can come here and always play some really great tennis.”
Before exiting the court, the Florida resident signed the camera lens "LA" accompanied by a heart, acknowledging the devastating fires that are ravaging the Californian city.
Earlier on Monday, 12th seed Diana Shnaider edged past Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-6(4) 6-4 to reach the second round in Melbourne Park for the second time.
Recognisable for her trademark bandanas and explosive game, the left-hander surmised that one reason she performs under pressure is because she became conditioned to it at a young age.
Due to limited financial resources, Shnaider said she competed relatively infrequently in junior tournaments and only in those that her family could drive to in nearby countries, and thus had to maximise her game.
MORE: AO 2025 women's singles draw
After a sensational 2024 season in which she reached a career high ranking of world No.12, the dynamic 20-year-old is hopeful she can continue to develop both her physicality and mentality.
“Self-confidence, it's one of the things that I need to work [on], because sometimes I'm just a little bit harsh on myself,” Shnaider admitted.
Elsewhere, Lucia Bronzetti stunned 21st seed and two-time AO champion Victoria Azarenka 6-2 7-6(2) in the pair’s first meeting.
“I knew that it was going to be a tight battle,” said the 26-year-old, who limited her unforced errors to 21 against Azarenka’s 37 and successfully fended off six break points.
Seventeenth seed Marta Kostyuk, an AO 2024 singles quarterfinalist, recovered from a slow start against qualifier Nao Hibino. The top Ukrainian dug deep, saving ten of 13 break points, and made 30 winners, triple her opponent's tally, to secure a 3-6 6-3 6-1 victory.
In night action at Margaret Court Arena, 10th seed and AO 2022 finalist Danielle Collins fought past qualifier Daria Snigur 7-6(4) 6-3 to set up a second round clash against another qualifier, Australian Destanee Aiava.