Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic has continued her winning end to the season by claiming the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge trophy in Dubai.
The former world No.7 cruised to the final of the ITF $100,000 event without dropping a set. Producing back-to-back wins over Sara Errani and second seed Mihaela Buzărnescu. In the final Bencic took on Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. A former top 50 back in 2015, who missed 13 months of the tour due to a shoulder injury.
Saturday’s final clash ended in disappointment after Tomljanovic was forced to retire whilst trailing 6-4. She received treatment during the opening set, but had to call it quits due to a groin injury.
“First I just want to apologise for not finishing the match, trust me I probably feel worse than all of you,” Sport 360 quoted Tomljanovic as saying after the match.
Dubai is the third consecutive tournament Bencic has won on the tour. It follows her triumphs at WTA 125 tournaments in Thailand and Taipei. The 20-year-old returned to the tour in September after undergoing wrist surgery. Since returning, she has risen up the rankings from 318th to inside the world’s top 100.
“Definitely not the way I wanted to win. I’m very sad for Ajla but hopefully it’s really nothing too bad and just precautionary,” said Bencic.
“I won the tournament so I’m very happy about it, and obviously to finish the year with a win is great, that’s the first time I think I’ve done it so it feels good. I’m playing really good now so I’m happy about it.”
Reflecting back on her week in at the tournament, which is celebrating its 20th edition, Bencic is full of positives. Saying the tournament has help set her up for the upcoming 2018 season.
“It was a good preparation I think. I practiced more during the tournament and I feel better every match, physically as well, just the confidence, just my shots, and for sure I want to have now some days off then continue my preparation and then fly to Australia,” she explained.
As a result of her latest win, Bencic is set to re-enter the top 75 on Monday for the first time since January. Securing a direct entry into the main draw of next month’s Australian Open.
