CHARLESTON, S.C.: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur won the championship rematch with Belinda Bencic at the Charleston Open on Sunday 7-6 (6), 6-4 for her third career WTA title.
Jabeur, seeded second in the season’s first clay-court event, defeated the fourth-seeded Bencic of Switzerland, who had won the event title a year ago in three sets and started strongly in seeking a second straight trophy.
Jabeur turned things around while trailing 5-3 in the opening set, a rally that included a between-the-legs return and saving two set points to win the tiebreak.
Jabeur broke Bencic’s serve three times in the final set. When Bencic hit her service return wide, Jabeur raised her arms in triumph for her first victory in the United States.
“I wish every tournament is like this, really (mean that) from the heart,” Jabeur said in accepting the trophy. “Really amazing tournament and I hope I can come back.”
When she does, it’ll be as defending champion.
Bencic advanced to the second straight final about 30 minutes before it began, finishing off a straight set victory over No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula by winning the final five points of a tiebreaker.
Jabeur looked like the one who might’ve needed more rest early on. She lost her serve in the opening game of the finals and struggled to figure out Bencic’s serves.
It changed for good with her miraculous return, down 5-4, on a ball Bencic hit from the net right at her opponent. Jabeur jumped with legs apart and the racket behind and down between them to get the ball back over the net.
Bencic held two set points in the tiebreaker that Jabeur fought off. Bencic watched a Jabeur’s ball hit the line and threw her racket. Jabeur’s hit another sideline on set point that Bencic thought was out, but the chair umpire ruled in it as Bencic pleaded her case to no avail.
Jabeur took a 4-1 lead in the second set and held on for her first title since winning on grass in Berlin last June, also defeating Bencic.
The defeat ended Bencic’s 10-match win streak on Charleston’s green clay.
Tunisia’s Jabeur wins WTA Charleston rematch over Bencic
https://arab.news/c8u9x
Tunisia’s Jabeur wins WTA Charleston rematch over Bencic
- Jabeur, seeded second in the season’s first clay-court event, defeated the fourth-seeded Bencic of Switzerland
Sara Bejlek celebrates career-first WTA Tour win at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- 20-year-old qualifier beats Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6, 6-1 in the final
- Alexandrova and Maya Joint sealed the women’s doubles title
ABU DHABI: The final day of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open was a memorable one for 20-year-old Sara Bejlek as she captured her maiden WTA Tour title in only her second appearance at this level.
Ekaterina Alexandrova and Maya Joint claimed the doubles crown, while Yui Kamiji won the inaugural Wheelchair Tennis Invitational presented by the WTA Foundation.
Bejlek, competing in her tournament debut as a qualifier, defied the odds by defeating pre-match favorite Alexandrova, who was chasing an Abu Dhabi double having reached both the singles and doubles finals. With her 7-6, 6-1 victory, Bejlek became the first Czech player to win the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title.
Bejlek said after the win: “I’m getting back into shape, and it feels incredible. Now I know I can compete with anyone and not be scared of anybody. My team believed in me even before I stepped back on court, and now I truly believe it too.
“I’ve learned that as long as the match isn’t finished, I always have a chance. I’m really happy with how my team is working with me, and today Abu Dhabi has become my favorite tournament.”
In the doubles, Alexandrova responded strongly after her singles final defeat to claim the title alongside Australian Joint. The pair secured a 6-3, 6-7, 10-8 victory over Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls in a fiercely contested but rain-delayed match.
Earlier in the day, World No.1 Kamiji made history when she won the inaugural wheelchair event 6-3, 6-2. The final against 20 grand slam title winner Jiske Griffioen on the ADCB Court 1 attracted huge crowds as both players displayed their skills for the first time in Abu Dhabi.
Kamiji said after the win: “I’m really happy to get the opportunity to play here; it’s such a great tournament and the courts are fantastic as well. My goal for the season is to win the title I haven’t been able to get yet, which is the Wimbledon singles.”
In the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, there was some outstanding finals between the most talented youngsters in the country. In the Under-12 category, Uchechukwu (Megan) Uzokwe and Yezid Baccouche were crowned champions. Isabelle James secured her third consecutive Road to MADO title, while Marwan Safi claimed the Under-14 boys’ crown. In the Under-16 category, Saida Ismail eared the girls’ title and Timur Gordeev lifted his third consecutive trophy in the competition.
Monica Puig, Olympic gold medalist in tennis and tournament presenter, said: “The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is the first of three tournaments in the Middle East, and is a special event to be part of. The fans have made it an incredible week, and they always turn out for this tournament, so that is really great to see.
“Sara (Bejlek’s) performance was impressive for a 20-year-old because I never saw her at any point look nervous on the court. She just stuck to her guns and did what she needed to do, and I’m really excited to keep an eye on her.”
Nigel Gupta, tournament director for the event, said: “The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has once again proven to be a fantastic tournament, with sell-out crowds creating an incredible atmosphere and fans were treated to world-class tennis throughout the week. Seeing Bejlek win her first WTA Tour title was truly unbelievable and a joy for everyone watching.
“It was also incredibly exciting to showcase wheelchair tennis at this event for the first time — the level, skill and competitiveness on display was outstanding. We’re already looking ahead to how we can continue building this tournament and ensuring it continues to be an event that everyone looks forward to each year.”
