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Belinda Bencic Reaches Abu Dhabi Final After Comeback Win Over Elena Rybakina

Posted : 08 February 2025

Belinda Bencic secured a place in her first tour-level final since returning from maternity leave with a hard-fought victory over world number five Elena Rybakina at the Abu Dhabi Open. The Swiss star, who welcomed her daughter Bella in April 2024 and resumed competition six months later, staged an impressive comeback to defeat Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

 

This victory marked Bencic's first triumph over a top-five opponent since becoming a mother, setting up a title clash against American Ashlyn Krueger. Reflecting on her journey, Bencic expressed her joy at achieving such results so soon after her return while acknowledging the continued effort required to maintain her progress.

 

The semifinal battle between the tournament’s last two champions saw Rybakina take an early lead, breaking Bencic in the first set’s sixth game to claim it in just 41 minutes. However, Bencic responded strongly, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead in the second set and holding on to force a decider. The final set featured a flurry of early service breaks before Bencic gained the upper hand with a double-break lead at 5-2.

 

 Although Rybakina saved two match points and broke back as Bencic initially served for victory, the Swiss remained composed, closing out the match on her fourth opportunity. Having been ranked outside the top 1,200 just four months ago, Bencic is now guaranteed a return to the top 100 after this tournament.

 

Meanwhile, Ashlyn Krueger booked her spot in the final with a straight-sets victory over Linda Noskova, winning 7-6(2), 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes. The 20-year-old American, who had endured three grueling three-setters earlier in the event, credited her mental toughness for her breakthrough performance in Abu Dhabi.

 

Krueger rallied from a 2-4 deficit in the first set and built a commanding lead in the second before Noskova briefly fought back. Despite missing her first match point, Krueger held her nerve to close out the win on her second attempt, securing her first-ever WTA 500 final and ensuring her debut in the top 50 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

 

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