World No. 7 Belinda Bencic of Sweden moved past alternate Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands after the latter retired from their red group round-robin clash with what has been reported as a viral illness, advancing into the semifinals of the 2019 Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen.

Bencic came into the match searching for her first victory against Bertens in three career meetings.

Bertens treated Bencic to a bit of heat on her opening service, taking her to 0-30, but the Swede kept calm and clawed her way to a hold.

The two then served out to 2-all, with Bertens saving two break points on the way with a forehand winner.

The Dutchwoman kept it clutch for a bit, converting a double break point off of solid shooting from the baseline and helped along by a netted forced error from Bencic bringing a long rally to a close.

The two served out to 5-4 before Bencic turned the tables in the biggest possible way. She got more aggressive with her shots and stopped coughing out unforced. She broke back twice and started pushing Bertens far behind the baseline, firing off three aces and 13 winners over the course of a 54-minute set.

After Bertens was held to love on Bencic's first service of the second set, she called for her trainer and then the doctor, who took her pulse and blood pressure. Some consultation ensued, and it was decided that the Dutch alternate (who herself is here in Shenzhen after Naomi Osaka withdrew due to a shoulder injury) would retire.

The result counts as a win in the draw and means that Bencic will face whoever winds up second in after the completion of purple group round-robin play tomorrow. 

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