US Open: Belinda Bencic pulls out of Flushing Meadows event

World Number eight, Belinda Bencic, who finished as a US Open semi-finalist 12 months ago, has become the latest player to pull out of this year’s tournament.

The Switzerland international, 23, who lost to eventual champion, Bianca Andreescu who also pulled out of the competition, has confirmed she will not be a part of the event happening in New York later this month.

She took to Twitter to say: “I have made the difficult decision to skip the US swing in New York and will return to the starting tour in Rome next month.”

Her decision leaves only Serena Williams, one of the four semi-finalists from last year’s edition left in this year’s event after Bencic, Andreescu, and Elina Svitolina – have all withdrawn.

• Defending champion Bianca Andreescu drops out of US Open women’s singles
• WTA Tour: Serena Williams makes winning return at Lexington Open
• More superstars pull out of US Grand Slam tournament

 

The world No 1, Ashleigh Barty, and world No 7, Kiki Bertens have also thrown their hats as regards this year’s US Open because of their concerns over coronavirus.

The US Open is due to begin on 31 August while the Rome tournament starts on 20 September, before the rescheduled French Open at the end of the month.

The Western & Southern Open, also being held at Flushing Meadows, begins on 21 August.