Belinda Bencic kisses the Abu Dhabi Open trophy Belinda Bencic kisses the Abu Dhabi Open trophy Belinda Bencic capped her fine run at the Abu Dhabi Open with her ninth WTA title – and her first since becoming a mother – by overcoming Ashlyn Krueger in Saturday's final. (More Tennis News)
The former Olympic champion rallied to beat American Krueger 4-6 6-1 6-1, less than four months after she returned from a year out on maternity leave.
Bencic – whose last title came at the same tournament two years ago – lost a chaotic opening set featuring six breaks of serve, but back-to-back breaks at the start of the second put her on course to level things.
After making it 1-1, Bencic broke at the first attempt again in the decider, then saved all three break points she faced en route to claiming a two-hour, 22-minute triumph.
Bencic celebrated the win by bringing baby daughter Bella onto the court, before telling the crowd: "It's been a while.
"I am super happy to be back here in Abu Dhabi. I didn't imagine this. I am also getting a little bit emotional.
rmk slot"I was working really hard to even play,fg777 login coming back. So, to also win a title in front of my family, it's really special."
One for the memory books @BelindaBencic | #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/4UBAPDE2I3
— wta (@WTA) February 8, 2025Data Debrief: Bencic overcomes the odds
Bencic, currently ranked number 157 in the world by the WTA, has become the third-lowest-ranked player to win a WTA 500 tournament since the tier was created.
Only Alexandra Dulgheru (the world number 201 at Warsaw in 2009) and Serena Williams (ranked 169 at Stanford in 2011) have been lower-ranked WTA 500 champions.
The first quarter had plenty of action with both teams finding themselves with opportunities to take the lead through penalty corners. As neither team got past each other’s defenceofa168, the quarter remained goalless.
