Belinda Bencic wins Abu Dhabi Open after saving three match points against Lyudmila Samsonova

Belinda Bencic beat Lyudmila Samsonova in the final to win the Abu Dhabi Open with a stunning comeback.

The world No. 9 found herself on the brink of defeat as she eyed three championship points before edging her Russian opponent 1-6 7-6(8) 6-4.

Samsonova dominated the first set, scoring 89 percent of her first serve points as she took the lead in just 36 minutes.

Bencic fought back at the start of the second game, broke serve early, but lost serve with a 5-4 lead and missed the opportunity to serve.

World No. 19 Samsonova forced her way into the tie-break and looked on the verge of her fifth WTA title, but could only net the first two match points before taking the third. grow up.

It was just the opening Bencic, who proved stronger in the longer rallies, needed and eventually forced the tiebreaker.

Samsonova’s otherwise excellent serve let her down early in the third period as she unexpectedly trailed 2-1.

Although she broke serve immediately, she lost her serve again and the now dominant Bencic was able to serve to close out the match and beat Samsonova for the first time in four attempts.

“It was a very tight game and I’m happy to turn those match points around,” Bencic said after the game. “I’m just really trying to hang in there and go for every point and give my best.

“I’m really happy to win the title here, I think I played some really good games, but it was tough. I showed myself that I can really work hard, just stay in the game and somehow turn the tide”

Bencic’s win sees her claim her eighth WTA Tour title and second of 2023, following her win at the Adelaide International in January.