Mum’s the word as Belinda Bencic stuns Elena Rybakina to reach Abu Dhabi final
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Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates after defeating Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in their Abu Dhabi Open semi-final clash.
PHOTO: AFP
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ABU DHABI – Belinda Bencic admitted it was “not easy” as she advanced to her first tour-level final since returning from maternity leave with a come-from-behind victory over Elena Rybakina at the Abu Dhabi Open on Feb 7.
The Swiss former Olympic champion welcomed her first child, Bella, in April 2024 and returned from a 13-month break from the WTA Tour six months later.
Her 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph over world No. 5 Rybakina was her first top-five victory since becoming a mother and earned her a final showdown with American Ashlyn Krueger.
“I’m so happy this is happening. I worked really hard to come back,” said Bencic, who won the Abu Dhabi title in 2023.
“It was definitely not an easy road and I’m so excited that the results are coming so fast. But it doesn’t mean that the work is over. I have a long way to go, but I’m really happy how it’s working on the court.”
Ranked 1,213rd in the world just four months ago, the 27-year-old is now guaranteed a return to the top 100 following the conclusion of the tournament.
Earlier, Krueger reached the biggest final of her career with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova and credited her mental toughness for her breakthrough week in Abu Dhabi.
The world No. 51 had battled through a trio of tough three-setters in her opening three matches in the United Arab Emirates capital but needed just 1hr 42min to overcome the Czech in straight sets in their semi-final.
Krueger, 20, will make her top-50 debut when the new rankings are released next week and paid tribute to the work she has been doing with her coach Michael Joyce for her recent success on court.
“I think my mentality and my mental toughness have worked a lot for me this week,” she said.
“There were a lot of matches where I was down or down a break and just fighting back and really believing in my game and the way I’m playing and what I’ve worked on recently.”
In men’s tennis, Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the Rotterdam Open semi-finals on Feb 7 with a 6-2, 6-1 win over compatriot Pedro Martinez.
The world No. 3, bidding to become the first Spaniard to triumph in Rotterdam, will next face Hubert Hurkacz of Poland for a spot in the final.
Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset. He will next take on Australia’s Alex de Minaur. AFP
