Bencic falls in Biel as her ranking continues to slide

Belinda Bencic has taken a major nosedive this season, losing her first-round match against Carina Witthoft in her home tournament of Biel, 6-1, 6-3. Since failing to defend her Australian Open fourth round showing, her ranking has been plummeting, now sitting at No. 131.

The Swiss hasn't been outside the Top 100 since first cracking it in May 2014, and was as high as No. 7 just over a year ago.

She seemed in high spirits upon arriving for the inaugural Biel event, getting to test drive a Mercedes Benz.

Even during practice, the 20-year-old wasn't letting any nerves or rust show.

An injury-riddled 2016 season first set her back, and 2017 has not been kind (she drew Serena Williams in the Australian Open first round). She hired a new coach in February, but hasn't gotten past the second round in any of the WTA tournaments she has played this year, including Indian Wells and Miami. What's worse, she'll have to play the qualifying event at Roland Garros.

However, at just 20 years of age, the former Top 10 star will surely bounce back.