Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic in tense China Open clash as Stubbs weighs in on drama

“Can I just say, in the middle of that match, the reason that I think Coco found her was because Belinda Bencic decided to complain about Coco’s team and how they were clapping and saying stuff before she was about to serve and she took offence to it,” said Stubbs.

“There was like 12 people in the stands and even Coco said that on the changeover. She was like there was nobody in the stands, so of course they sound a lot louder than they would if it’s a packed stadium, because everybody would be talking.

“But because there was not a lot of people in the stands they became a bit more vocal and Belinda took offence to it and said something to the umpire.

“I can tell you one thing. If you are winning a match and you are in a winning position, which Bencic was at that point, you just have to go and play. You don’t want to add fuel to somebody’s fire, particularly someone like Coco, to get her in the mood to fight and battle like she did in that second set.

“It’s just crazy that these players lose their minds like that because it’s like what I used to say when people would play against Serena – don’t poke the bear. When you give a player something else [to focus on]… I’m sure Coco was already kind of probably struggling at some point at herself mentally at that point,” she continued.

Stubbs’ comments on Gauff-Bencic row find support among fans

The fallout from the Gauff-Bencic exchange has sparked a wide range of opinions, with many backing Stubbs’ assessment that Bencic’s decision to engage with the issue played a role in her defeat.

One fan took to X (formerly Twitter) to express this view, writing: “If she didn’t complain she would have won this match. I can’t with her, she really should have won here…”

Another echoed the sentiment, adding: “She should’ve focused more on actual holding leads in the second set instead of complaining.”

Bencic’s comment about being “too old for mind games” also drew attention, with some finding it ironic given that she was the one who brought up the issue.

Another fan posted: “‘I’m too old for these mind games, ok?’ is immediate canon. Can’t wait to watch this match back.”

With time to reflect on the incident, Bencic shared a message on social media looking back at what happened during the match.

Bencic now shifts her focus to the Wuhan Open, while Gauff prepares for her quarterfinal clash against Eva Lys at the China Open.