Belinda Bencic’s comeback from maternity depart hit a big milestone on Saturday as she claimed the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title with a 4-6 6-1 6-1 victory over American Ashlyn Krueger. With this win, the 27-year-old prolonged her flawless file on the match to 9-0, having additionally gained the title in 2023.
Competing as a wildcard, Bencic navigated a difficult draw to raise the WTA 500 trophy. Her path to the title included victories over Rebecca Sramkova, Veronika Kudermetova, Marketa Vondrousova, high seed Elena Rybakina within the semifinals, and eventually, Krueger within the championship match. The ultimate lasted 2 hours and 23 minutes, marking her first WTA title since changing into a mom in April 2024.
Bencic, a former world No. 4 and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, has now captured her ninth profession WTA singles title.
Since returning to competitors in October 2024, Bencic has wasted no time discovering her rhythm. She eased again into motion by a WTA 125 occasion, two ITF Challengers, and the Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs earlier than making her official WTA comeback on the United Cup in January.
Her momentum continued on the Australian Open, the place she reached the fourth spherical in her first Grand Slam look because the 2023 US Open. Now, following her title run in Abu Dhabi, Bencic holds a powerful 12-3 tour-level file in 2025.
Bencic’s speedy resurgence indicators that she is as soon as once more a pressure to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour. As she continues her comeback season, all eyes will likely be on the Swiss star to see how far she will climb again up the rankings.
