Bencic, top seed in Lugano, falls to 182nd-ranked Lottner in straights

By Ed McGrogan Apr 09, 2019
WTA Dubai, UAE

Emma Navarro vs. Belinda Bencic: Where to Watch, Dubai Preview, Betting Odds

By TENNIS.com Feb 18, 2025
WTA Dubai, UAE

Three to See, Dubai Day 3: Azarenka vs. Swiatek, Gauff vs. Kessler and Bencic vs. Navarro

By Steve Tignor Feb 18, 2025
Weekend Winners

Carlos Alcaraz, Belinda Bencic or Denis Shapovalov: Whose title run could be the most significant for 2025?

By Steve Tignor Feb 10, 2025
Ranking Reaction

Madison Keys reaches new career-high of No. 6, now three American women in Top 6

By John Berkok Feb 10, 2025
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Belinda Bencic wins Abu Dhabi, the biggest title a mom has won since 2020

By John Berkok Feb 08, 2025
Lifestyle

Belinda Bencic's ringing phone alarm interrupts Abu Dhabi semifinal with Elena Rybakina

By Baseline Staff Feb 07, 2025
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

New mom Belinda Bencic upsets Elena Rybakina in Abu Dhabi

By David Kane Feb 07, 2025
Australian Open

Australian Open Fourth Round Previews: Coco Gauff vs. Belinda Bencic, Sabalenka vs. Andreeva, Alcaraz vs. Draper

By Steve Tignor Jan 18, 2025
Australian Open

Abdominal injury derails Naomi Osaka again, retires down a set to Belinda Bencic at Australian Open

By TENNIS.com Jan 17, 2025

Bencic, top seed in Lugano, falls to 182nd-ranked Lottner in straights

The Dubai champion, Indian Wells semifinalist and Charleston semifinalist was humbled at home.

ByEd McGrogan

Published Apr 09, 2019

Bencic, top seed in Lugano, falls to 182nd-ranked Lottner in straights

Advertising

Belinda Bencic, the top seed at her de facto home tournament in Lugano, Switzerland, lost her opening-round match to 182nd-ranked Antonia Lottner, 7-5, 6-2.

Considering Bencic's fine play this season, which includes a Dubai title run and semifinal showings at Indian Wells and Charleston—the latter on clay, albeit the green shade—this is a real head-scratcher. The world No. 20 led the first set 2-0 but largely crumbled from there; had Lottner not double faulted three times in the penultimate game, it would have been a 6-1 second set. Still, Bencic was unable to hold serve thereafter, and her red-clay season is off to a forgettable start.

All credit to Lottner, who had nothing to lose—unlike Bencic, the crowd favorite. Did Bencic feel the effects of her quick turnaround from Charleston, where she played on Friday? Did she succumb to the pressure of being the top seed—which, as Steve Tignor pointed out, hasn't happened in years? Or was it just a bad day on clay?

We may want to know, but I'm guessing Lottner couldn't care less.