Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open: Bencic upsets Rybakina to reach first final since April 2023

Wild card Belinda Bencic edged out Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the top seed, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City on Friday evening.

The victory represents Bencic’s first top-10 win since August 2023 and first final since April that same year — even more impressive with the event being just her second since the birth of her child in April of last year.

For the match, Bencic had a highly-impressive 75 percent win rate on her first serve points, and this was matched with a respectable 65 percent of first serves in. However, the serve wasn’t the only weapon within her utility belt as she created 13 break-point chances on Rybakina’s serve with precise returns, despite only converting on four opportunities.

After the victory, the Swiss was asked what the win meant to her:

“I’m so happy this is happening. I worked really hard to come back. It wasn’t an easy road. I’m so excited the results are coming so fast. It doesn’t mean the work is over. I have a long way to go. I’m really enjoying myself on the court. Thank you so much for the support.”

I worked really hard to come back. It wasn’t an easy road.

Bencic will play American Ashlyn Krueger next.

The world No 157 previously defeated Slovak Rebecca Sramkova (6-2, 3-6, 6-1), Russian lucky loser Veronika Kudermetova (6-0, 6-0) and Czech wild card Marketa Vondrousova (7-5, 6-3) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Rybakina, ranked No 5, edged out American qualifier Katie Volynets (2-6, 6-4, 6-4) and Tunisian Ons Jabeur (6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4)).

Abu Dhabi WTA 500, other semi-final result:

• Ashlyn Krueger beat Linda Noskova: 7-6 (2), 6-4

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