Bertens barrels past Bencic in Wuhan marathon

WUHAN, China - A marathon day for Kiki Bertens ended with a first round victory at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open. 

Fresh off a third title of the season last week, the Korean Open champion arrived in Wuhan hours before her match against Belinda Bencic began on Court 1.

After two rain delays, two hours and 23 minutes played and one court change, the No.12 seed finished off the 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory under the roof on Centre Court at nearly midnight local time. 

The World No.11 powered her way into the second round behind five breaks of serve and four aces, including two in the match's final game and one on her fifth match point. 

The opening set saw the two players trade breaks in the fourth and fifth games, with Bencic immediately hitting back as Bertens attempted to move ahead.

However, the Dutch No.1 earned the decisive break of the set in the eighth game as she won the last three from 3-3 by pocketing 12 of the last 14 points.

The second set went with serve for nearly the duration, as neither player faced break point over the  first nine games.

After a brief shower, however, it was Bencic who was quicker off the mark, as she wrapped up the set with a break to love - her second in the match overall. 

Bertens nonetheless struck first in the decider, breaking Bencic to begin the set and consolidating to lead, 2-0.

As a rain delay saw the match suspended at deuce after Bencic saved three break points in the third game, the two closed out their match under the Centre Court roof.

Though Bencic held, the next eight points went Bertens' way, and after the Swiss got one break back, the Dutchwoman nonetheless claimed the last two games to steer through to a victory.

The No.12 seed will look to keep her winning streak alive on Tuesday in Wuhan, as she faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a spot in the last 16.