Lucie Safarova beats Coco Vandeweghe to set up Belinda Bencic clash

Lucie Safarova has progressed into the third round of the Cincinnati Open with a straight-sets win over Coco Vandeweghe tonight.

The world number six triumphed 6-4 7-5 in just over 90 minutes to set up a clash with 18-year-old Swiss starlet Belinda Bencic, who beat Serena Williams to win the Rogers Cup at the weekend.

The Czech barely broke sweat early on in the opener as she coasted into a four-game lead over the American, who broke twice in three games to provide a scare.

However, Vandeweghe, who held serve to level up the set at 4-4, then lost the final two games as her hard work was ultimately in vain.

The second set proved far more assured from both players, with the duo holding their serve en route to being deadlocked five games apiece.

Safarova held serve to move 6-5 ahead, and then went one point away from victory before rain stopped play, but she swiftly booked her third-round place when the match resumed.