Bartunkova, 19, Stuns Bencic with Federer-Alcaraz Flair at Australian Open

Nikola Bartunkova, a 19-year-old qualifier from the Czech Republic, achieved a stunning upset at the Australian Open. This marked her first appearance in a Grand Slam event. On Thursday evening, she defeated the 10th seed Belinda Bencic in a match that ended with scores of 6-3, 0-6, 6-4. This victory halted Bencic’s impressive 12-match winning streak.

Bencic, a former Olympic gold medalist and two-time major semifinalist, had not suffered a loss since October. She showcased flawless performances recently at the United Cup, where she went unbeaten in singles matches. In contrast, Bartunkova had come into this tournament after a lackluster WTA 125 event in Canberra, where she lost in the first round.

Bartunkova’s Rise in Rankings

Over the past year, Bartunkova has experienced a remarkable ascent in her professional career. She climbed from a ranking of No. 537 to No. 126. She had previously not participated in a Grand Slam qualifying event before this tournament.

Impressive Debut Performance

In her initial match against Daria Kasatkina, a former Top 10 player, Bartunkova made headlines with a first-round win. That victory set the stage for her subsequent success against Bencic. Her performance in the latest match was nothing short of spectacular, taking 2 hours and 12 minutes on ANZ Arena.

• Wins: 40 clean winners, including various strokes from aggressive volleys to delicate drop shots.
• Service Points: Striking 17 out of 26 successful net approaches.
• Score Summary: 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 against Bencic.

Playing Style and Inspiration

Bartunkova has noted her playing style draws inspiration from tennis greats like Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz. She embraces an unpredictable game, making it challenging for her opponents. Her tactical approach included serves and shots that disrupted Bencic’s rhythm.

Next Challenge

Following her victory, Bartunkova is set to face the 21st seed Elise Mertens, who recently won her match 6-3, 6-1. Bartunkova aims to continue her impressive run in what is shaping up to be a dream debut at the Australian Open.

Other Czech Star: Tereza Valentova

The Australian Open also saw another Czech teenager shine. Eighteen-year-old Tereza Valentova triumphed in a challenging match against her compatriot Linda Fruhvirtova, winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. This marks Valentova’s first time advancing to the third round of a Grand Slam.

• Valentova’s Record: Now ranked No. 54, she deems this her first senior Australian Open.
• Performance: Successfully saved four set points in the first set, securing victory with 35 winners.

Valentova will face the No. 5 seed Elena Rybakina in her next match. Their previous encounter was in the second round of the US Open, where Valentova narrowly missed victory.

As the Australian Open progresses, both Bartunkova and Valentova represent the rising talent in women’s tennis from the Czech Republic, showcasing their potential on a global stage.