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

Swiss wildcard 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 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, ranked No 157, will play American Ashlyn Krueger next.

The Swiss won against Slovak Rebecca Sramkova (6-2, 3-6, 6-1), Russian lucky loser Veronika Kudermetova (6-0, 6-0) and wildcard 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 (International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, hard, USD 1.064.510):

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