Belinda Bencic marked a remarkable return to the WTA circuit, achieving her first final since maternity leave by defeating Elena Rybakina at the Abu Dhabi Open. The Swiss former Olympic champion battled her way to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over the world number five in a thrilling match that lasted two hours and six minutes. Bencic, who welcomed her daughter, Bella, in April 2024, returned to the tour six months later after a 13-month break. Her remarkable win against Rybakina also marked her first victory over a top-five player since becoming a mother, setting up a highly anticipated final against American Ashlyn Krueger. Reflecting on her journey, Bencic shared, "It was definitely not an easy road, and I'm so excited that the results are coming so fast. I still have a long way to go, but I'm really happy with how things are progressing on the court." Previously ranked 1,213 in the world, Bencic is expected to re-enter the top 100 following the tournament. Meanwhile, World No. 51 Ashlyn Krueger advanced to her first WTA 500-level final after defeating Linda Noskova in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-4. Both players aim for their first major title, making the final an exciting clash.
