Bencic wins Abu Dhabi title

Final day in Abu Dhabi.

2023 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a WTA 500 tournament, on Hard, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 6-12 February 2023.

First scheduled in January 2021 due to suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, and delay of tournaments in Australia because of COVID.

Now reintroduced as replacement for St Petersburg Ladies Trophy, cancelled because of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

2021 champion (not defending): 

Aryna Sabalenka (4) who defeated Veronica Kudermetova 6-2 6-2

Final:

Liudmila Samsonova (8) (Russia) v Belinda Bencic (2) (Switzerland)

Samsonova won all 3 previous contests, all in 2021, the most recent in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Samsonova served first, and saved a break point before holding, the final point a slashing forehand winner.

Bencic also saved a break point in her opening game, but a forehand passing shot from Samsonova converted a second break chance, and it was 2-0.

Samsonova consolidated for 3-0.

In game five, Samsonova hit three forehand winners on the way to a 4-1 advantage.

Bencic was then broken again, succumbing to the Samsonova forehand yet another three times.

Samsonova served out the set 6-1, clinching it with a winning backhand.

Bencic opened set two with a love game, while Samsonova levelled, but only after saving a break point.

In the fourth game, Samsonova saved a break point, but not a second, and Bencic broke for 3-1.

Bencic consolidated for 4-1.

Samsonova served at 2-5 to stay in the set, and held.

Bencic served for the set at 5-3.

Backhand winner from Samsonova. Forehand from Bencic sailed long. 0-30.

Forehand from Bencic forced an error. Then Bencic netted a backhand.

Two break back points. Mishit forehand from Bencic and the break. 5-4.

A love game from Samsonova and 5-5.

Down 0-40 in the eleventh game, Bencic saved all three break points and held for 6-5.

Samsonova forced a tie break.

Bencic saved three match points in the tie break and eventually won the set 7-6(8).

In the decider, Bencic broke Samsonova to love in game three to lead 2-1.

Samsonova broke back immediately.

Bencic broke for 3-2, then consolidated with a love game for 4-2.

Samsonova served at 3-5 to stay in the match.

She held and forced Bencic to serve for it.

5-4. Bencic served 

Samsonova netted a return. Samsonova forehand forced an error. 

Bencic netted a backhand. 15-30.

Samsonova forehand long twice 40-30 match point.

Samsonova netted a forehand and the match was over.

Belinda Bencic won 1-6 7-6(8) 6-4 to claim her eighth title, and second this year.