2023 Abu Dhabi champion Belinda Bencic has made a winning start at the WTA 500 tournament in the United Arab Emirates after overcoming world No. 44 Rebecca Sramkova 6-2 3-6 6-1.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Swiss, who is currently ranked at No. 157 in the world and received a wildcard for the tournament, continues her fine form since launching her post-pregnancy comeback as this has been her eighth win of 2025.
While Bencic struggled a bit at times against the Slovak and didn't have the most consistent of performances, she came up big when it mattered the most and won the last five games of the decider to complete her three-set win.
In her next Abu Dhabi match, the former world No. 4 will play against lucky loser Veronika Kudermetova, who upset fifth-seeded Liudmila Samsonova in her opener.
Going into their clash, one thing is for sure - they know each other pretty well - having played against each other nine times, with the Swiss winning five of those nine meetings.
ADVERTISEMENT
How Bencic overcame Sramkova?
Early in the first set, the Swiss wildcard earned breaks in the fifth and seventh games for a 5-2 lead before saving three consecutive break points in the eighth game and closing out the opener.
Down by a set, the world No. 44 responded by claiming her first break at the start of the second set and opening a 2-0 lead.
While Bencic managed to get the break back instantly in the third game, she lost her serve again in the sixth game.
This time, Sramkova managed to hold to her serve and ultimately force a third set.
Through the first two games of the decider, the two players were tied to one game apiece.
Then, the former world No. 4 stepped up - registered back-to-back breaks - and won five games in a row to seal her win in a very impressive way.
