Unseeded Belinda Bencic improved to 5-0 against Top 5 opponents this season by beating world No.1 Naomi Osaka for the second straight time to reach the Madrid semifinals. After ending Osaka’s BNP Paribas Open title defense in March, the 22-year-old Bencic fought back from a set down in today’s quarterfinals, saving eight of 12 break points and winning the match 3-6 6-2 7-5, even though the Japanese was leading by a break in the deciding set and serving for victory.
Bencic’s next opponent will be two-time Madrid champion Simona Halep, another Top 5 player the Swiss has already beaten this year.