Bencic Wins Ninth WTA Title in Abu Dhabi

Belinda Bencic clinched her ninth WTA title at the Abu Dhabi Open, marking her first major win since returning from maternity leave. The Swiss former Olympic champion defeated American Ashlyn Krueger in a thrilling final, overcoming an initial set deficit with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Her victory comes after a significant comeback, having returned to the tour just months after the birth of her daughter, Bella. Notably, Bencic achieved a remarkable win against world number five Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, her first victory over a top-five opponent since becoming a mother. This win propels her back into the top 100 rankings, reflecting a significant rise from her previous ranking of 1,213. Krueger, who reached her first WTA 500 final, praised Bencic's performance despite her disappointment in the final match.