Belinda Bencic and Ashlyn Krueger will face off in an unexpected final for the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open title after the Swiss player knocked out top seed Elena Rybakina in a tight three-set battle, while the American defeated young star Linda Noskova in straight sets.
The tournament featured several former Grand Slam champions, including Emma Raducanu, Marketa Vondrousova, Sofia Kenin, and Jelena Ostapenko, along with other high-profile names such as Ons Jabeur, Paula Badosa, Leylah Fernandez, and Rybakina herself. However, Krueger and Bencic earned their places in their first final of the year.
Bencic's experience vs Krueger's breakthrough
For the 20-year-old American, this will be her second WTA Tour final, following her only title at the Japan Open. This time, it will be her first WTA 500 final, with the chance to break into the world's top 32 and secure a seeded spot for major tournaments like Indian Wells, the Miami Open, and Grand Slams.
Krueger has been dominant this week, securing wins over players like 3rd seed Daria Kasatkina and 8th seed Leylah Fernandez. Her serve has been one of her biggest weapons, a key strength for the 6'1" (1.85m) player.
On the other side of the net, she will face an experienced opponent in Bencic, who is currently ranked No. 157 after taking a year-long maternity break in April last year. The Tokyo 2021 Olympic gold medallist was outside the top 1,000 just three months ago, with a low of No. 1,447 back in September.
However, after competing in some lower-tier events at the end of 2024, Bencic has started the 2025 season strongly, boasting a 10-2 record across just three WTA-level tournaments since her return. She has claimed victories over top opponents, including Naomi Osaka, Jelena Ostapenko, and Rybakina in the Abu Dhabi semifinals—her first win over a top-5 player in more than two years.
Bencic has already secured her return to the top 100 and will be looking to defend the title she won in 2023. This will be her 18th professional final, with eight titles so far, including two WTA 1000 and five WTA 500 trophies.
Krueger and Bencic have never played each other before, but the Swiss player’s experience could be a key factor against a Krueger who will likely be playing the biggest match of her young career.
From Wild Card to Finalist 👏@BelindaBencic battles it out and defeats the defending champion 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.#MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/dpGZzLqT8D
— wta (@WTA) February 7, 2025
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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