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Belinda Bencic knocks out Venus Williams, 2018 keeps getting better

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland reacts after winning her first round match against Venus Williams of the United States on day one of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland reacts after winning her first round match against Venus Williams of the United States on day one of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) /
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Belinda Bencic pulls off one of the biggest early upsets at the 2018 Australian Open. The Swiss tennis star is seeing a great start to her year.

Belinda Bencic is coming off of her Hopman Cup win alongside tennis great Roger Federer. Her strong play seems to be continuing right into play at the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old Swiss tennis star knocks out American superstar Venus Williams. While Williams reached the finals in 2017 and ultimately lost to sister Serena, there will be no Williams winning in 2018. Bencic defeats the American in straight sets, winning 6-3 7-5.

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Williams was the fifth seed this year at the Australian Open. She is coming off of a strong 2017 WTA Tour that even saw her appear in the end of year WTA Finals in Singapore. This week at Melbourne Park, however, it is Bencic, and not Williams, who advances.

Bencic looks to rebound early in 2018.

After fantastic 2016 tour, the Swiss tennis player saw lingering injuries and a major drop in the rankings. Toward the end of last year, however, Bencic began her comeback in women’s singles tennis.

While many saw the opening round draw against Williams as unfortunate, Bencic has proven everyone wrong. The young Swiss tennis star has reached the fourth round of play before at the Australian Open. During her immensely successful 2016 WTA Tour, she fell to Russian superstar Maria Sharapova in the fourth round at Melbourne Park. Bencic appears confident as of late and will make a large jump in the rankings if she can continue on this week. She is the current world No. 74 in women’s singles tennis.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Belinda Bencic awaits her second round matchup. Top seeded Simona Halep is in action later today at Melbourne Park. She and former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki are among the favorites to take the title in women’s singles this year. With several former champions out of the mix, we could easily see a new champion. Bencic, like many of her young peers, is seeking her first ever Grand Slam singles title. Stay tuned to see how the Swiss tennis star fares throughout the rest of her run at the 2018 Australian Open.

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