Belinda Bencic reached her first WTA Tour remaining since coming back from maternity depart with a shock victory over Elena Rybakina on the Abu Dhabi Open.
The Swiss former Olympic champion clinched a 3-6 6-3 6-4 conquer world quantity 5 Rybakina in two hours and 6 minutes.
Bencic welcomed her daughter, Bella, in April 2024, and returned from a 13-month break from the tour six months later.
The 27-year-old’s win over Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was her first in opposition to a top-five opponent since she grew to become a mom, and she is going to face American Ashlyn Krueger in Sunday’s remaining.
Bencic, who gained the Abu Dhabi title in 2023, mentioned reaching the ultimate was reward for “working actually arduous to return again” after the start of her first baby.
“It was undoubtedly not a simple street, and I am so excited that the outcomes are coming so quick,” Bencic mentioned.
“It nonetheless does not imply that the work is over, so I’ve an extended technique to go, however I am actually completely happy the way it’s engaged on the courtroom. I am actually having fun with myself on the courtroom.”
Ranked 1,213 on the earth 4 months in the past, Bencic is now assured a return to the highest 100 following the conclusion of the match.
World quantity 51 Krueger, who has one WTA singles title to her title, reached the ultimate with a straight units victory over Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.
The 20-year-old beat the world quantity 39 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 on the Zayed Sports activities Metropolis Worldwide Tennis Centre.