Belinda Bencic is back with a bang!
The Swiss was sidelined for long by a problem to her back and a wrist injury, but she has now found her way back in Dubai where she conquered her 3rd career title.
This title in the Emirates was quite astonishing also because Belinda survived 4 top10 players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Simona Halep, Elina Svitolina and Petra Kvitova in the final. Even more impressing, Belinda beat Sabalenka after saving 6 match points.
The final against Kvitova
The final against Petra was a huge roller coaster. Belinda got a strong 4-1 lead in the 1st set (2 breaks up) before winning 6-3. Then Kvitova fought vigorously in the 2nd set to clinch a 4-0 lead before winning 6-1.
After the Czech held her serve at 15 in the decider, it seemed as she had the momentum to win the title. Since Petra was 4-1 down in the opening set, she won 9 of the last 12 games, and Belinda looked unable to find the solution.
Eventually, the Swiss came back strongly, and after holding her serve (1-1), she won a crucial break in the 3rd game (2-1) before breaking again in the 7th game (5-2). That was it! Bencic held her serve to win the match 6-3 1-6 6-2 and conquer her 3rd and most important career title.
After this title, Belinda will go up 22 places to be the new world no.23. Her best rank was 7 when she was just 18. She is on the way to improve it.
It’s incredible. BENCIC
Belinda was astonished after the match to comment
Then I won against Sabalenka after being out already. We said the same thing again. Really, the expectations after two rounds were not there anymore. So many times I was close from defeat. It’s unbelievable that I ended up winning this.”
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