Gauff advances to Toronto semi-finals as Bencic withdraws with hip injury
Belinda Bencic withdrew from her Toronto quarter-final against Coco Gauff with a pinching hip injury she said left her unable to move, sending the American through by walkover after a week in which the Swiss had beaten Alexandra Eala, Taylor Townsend and Sloane Stephens.
Belinda Bencic, 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
American Coco Gauff, the No. 4 seed, moved into the semi-finals of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers by walkover on Tuesday night after Swiss opponent Belinda Bencic, the No. 12 seed, withdrew from their quarter-final with a hip injury shortly before the match.
Gauff, ranked No. 4, will next face the winner of the match between Japan’s Naomi Osaka, the No. 11 seed, and Kazakh second seed Elena Rybakina, which was moved up to no earlier than 7:30 p.m. as a result of the walkover.
Bencic, ranked No. 14, said in a statement released through Tennis Canada that she had exhausted every option to be fit for the match. “I’m really sorry to not be able to compete tonight,” she said. “This is an amazing tournament and I was really looking forward to playing in front of the great fans here in Toronto. I tried everything possible to be ready for tonight. Looking forward to being back in Toronto next time.”
It’s pinching a lot. I tried to warm up, I tried to tape it, tried to take painkillers, and none of it worked.
Speaking to the crowd afterward, Bencic described the injury in more detail. “I have some hip issues,” she said. “It’s pinching a lot. I tried to warm up, I tried to tape it, tried to take painkillers, and none of it worked.”
Asked how difficult the decision had been, she said there had been little choice in the matter. “It was quite easy. I couldn’t really move, so I don’t think I had much of a choice there. Even if I would come out, I just wouldn’t be able to.” She was visibly disappointed to have missed the chance to build on her form. “I played such a good match in the last round, and I was so excited to play tonight and show another good match. I always love to play here in Toronto.”
Bencic had been in strong form before the injury forced her out, having beaten No. 25 seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 6-4, 6-0, American Taylor Townsend 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4 and fellow American Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-1 to reach the same stage.
