Belinda Bencic secured her first title since returning from maternity leave with a come-from-behind victory over American Ashlyn Krueger at the Abu Dhabi Open on Saturday.
Guess who’s back… 😮💨🏆@BelindaBencic captures her second Abu Dhabi title after defeating Krueger 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/vbmW8Qc6UC
— wta (@WTA) February 8, 2025
The Swiss Olympic gold medallist spent 13 months away from the tour and got back to action last October, just six months after giving birth to her first child Bella.
Bencic recovered from a poor serving performance in the first set to beat the 51st-ranked Krueger 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 and clinch the ninth title of her career and first since her triumph in Abu Dhabi two years ago.
Belinda Bencic holding her daughter after winning her first title since coming back as a mom in Abu Dhabi.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 8, 2025
She gave birth less than a year ago… what a comeback.
Bella in her arms.
Joy all over her face. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/SwHDaCcPaE
In the first meeting between the pair, both Krueger and Bencic struggled on serve early on, combining for eight double faults in the opening three games in tricky, windy conditions.
Six of the first eight games went against the serve, with Bencic wiping out a 1-3 deficit and breaking for 4-3 before Krueger pegged her back and drew level.
First title as a mom 🥹@BelindaBencic leaves it all on the court to capture her ninth WTA singles title!#MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/SMmgLqvcyD
— wta (@WTA) February 8, 2025
The 20-year-old American was racking up the double faults, committing a total of 10 in the first set but she continued to unleash powerful forehands to put pressure on Bencic, who finally surrendered the set after 10 tight games and 65 minutes of play.
Bencic only managed to win 38% of her first-serve points in the opening set, but that statistic dramatically improved in the second, allowing the Swiss to carve out a 4-0 lead and she soon got on equal terms to force a decider.
Despite needing a medical timeout to treat hand blisters halfway through the final set, Bencic kept up her momentum and wrapped up the win in two hours and 23 minutes.
The 27-year-old Bencic was ranked outside the top 1 000 in November and will re-enter the top 65 when the new rankings are released on Monday.