Belinda Bencic made an emphatic statement in her return to the WTA winner’s circle, overcoming American Ashlyn Krueger in the Abu Dhabi Open final with a determined 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory. Less than a year after giving birth to her daughter Bella, the Swiss star battled through a challenging opening set before dominating the final two, securing her ninth career title and first since April 2023.
For Bencic, the victory was more than just another trophy—it was a nod to her perseverance. The former world No. 4, who stepped away from the sport for maternity leave, has been steadily working her way back up the rankings since returning to competition in October. Having started her comeback unranked, she had already climbed to No. 157 before this tournament. With this latest triumph, she is projected to break back into the Top 100, rising to No. 65.
“It means so much to win this in front of my family,” Bencic said during the trophy ceremony. “I didn’t imagine this moment, and I’m getting a little emotional. I’ve worked really hard to come back, and to do this with my husband and daughter here is very special.”
Bencic’s path to the title in Abu Dhabi was far from straightforward. She took out tough opponents, including former Top 10 players Veronika Kudermetova and Marketa Vondrousova, before stunning top seed and defending champion Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. The victory over Rybakina was particularly significant, as it marked Bencic’s first win over a Top 10 player since becoming a mother.
The final against Krueger presented an early challenge. The 20-year-old American, appearing in her first WTA 500 final, came out swinging, hitting 21 winners in a dominant first set. Krueger’s aggressive play, especially her willingness to go for winners down the line, put Bencic under immediate pressure. The Swiss struggled with her serve in the blustery conditions, double-faulting multiple times and winning just 38% of her first-serve points in the opener.
Despite dropping the first set, Bencic never lost her composure. She quickly turned the match around with a commanding second set, finding her rhythm and cutting down on errors. A key moment came early in the second when she secured a break and followed it up with a love hold, setting the tone for the remainder of the match. Her first serve, which had been inconsistent in the opener, became a major weapon as she won 77% of points behind it in the second set.
As Krueger’s level dipped, Bencic only grew stronger. The 27-year-old Swiss dictated play in the final set, breaking early and holding firm despite a brief medical timeout at 3-0. Krueger, who had played three three-set matches earlier in the tournament, seemed to run out of steam, and Bencic capitalized, closing out the match in two hours and 23 minutes.
The victory cements Bencic’s status as one of the most resilient competitors on tour. She remains undefeated in Abu Dhabi, improving to a perfect 9-0 record at the event. The win also makes her the first mother to win a WTA singles title since Elina Svitolina’s triumph in Strasbourg last year and the first to claim a title at the WTA 500 level or higher since Victoria Azarenka in 2020.
On the other side of the net, Krueger can take plenty of positives from her breakthrough run. The young American, who has been working with former Maria Sharapova coach Michael Joyce, will rise to a career-high ranking of No. 40 following her impressive performance. Her aggressive game and ability to strike cleanly down the line make her a dangerous opponent, and her run to the Abu Dhabi final suggests she could be a rising force on the tour.
“I want to congratulate Belinda,” Krueger said after the match. “It’s incredible to see you come back as a mother and win a title. It’s really inspirational.”
Bencic’s victory comes nearly two years to the day since she last lifted the Abu Dhabi trophy. In 2023, she staged a dramatic comeback in the final, saving three championship points before defeating Liudmila Samsonova. This time, she needed no such heroics, but the win was equally meaningful, marking another significant milestone in her career.
With her confidence restored and momentum on her side, Bencic may now have to set some loftier goals. If her performance in Abu Dhabi is any indication, she could be a serious contender in bigger events this season. And with her daughter Bella watching from the sidelines, there may be many more trophy celebrations to come.
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