Belinda Bencic is on the final of the WTA 250 Adelaide International 2 after the withdrawal of Veronika Kudermetova

Veronika Kudermetova withdrew from the semi-final of the WTA 250 Adelaide International 2 due to a left hip injury. Thus, Tokyo 2020 Olympics champion Belinda Bencic qualified for the final, where will face Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina.

Daria Kasatkina also qualified for the final after walkover of her opponent Paula Badosa.

The head-to-head rivalry between Daria Kasatkina and Belinda Bencic goes back to their junior days. At pro level, the Russian player leads the head-to-head 3-2, including their most recent meeting 2-0 (6:2, 6:2) in the second round of Roland Garros 2021. However, Belinda Bencic won their only previous outdoor hardcourt encounter – also in Adelaide, when she won by 2-0 (6:4, 6:4) in the 2020 first round and went on to reach the final.

WTA 250 Adelaide International 2 is the last warm-up tournament before Australian Open, which starts on Monday (January 16) and most of the players keep their health and powers for it.