Bencic Saves 3 MPs, Solves Samsonova For Abu Dhabi Title

Liudmila Samsonova had never lost to Belinda Bencic and three meetings and had never lost any of her four WTA finals. That changed Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

Bencic, though, had to do it the hard was coming from a set down and three match points to deny the Russian No. 8 seed 1-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-4 for her 8th career title. Samsonova had her chances hold three match points in the second set breaker.

“It’s been a really tight match, and I’m happy to turn these match points around,” Bencic said to the WTA. “I just really tried hanging in there and scramble for every point, and just do my best.

“I’m really happy to walk away with the title here and I think I played some really good matches, but they were also tough. I proved to myself that I can really fight hard and just stay in the matches and somehow turn it around.”

Bencic, ranked No. 9, turned out the better after trading breaks early in the third, getting her last one to go up 3-2.

The powerful Samsonova connected on 10 aces. She slips to 3-5 against Top 10 players.

Bencic captures her 8th career title. This was her 17th career final. Samsonova was gunning her 5th career title. This was her 5th career final.