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Belinda Bencic claimed her second WTA title since becoming a mother by defeating Linda Noskova in the Pan Pacific Open final.
Bencic (28 years old), who won ten WTA tournaments, lost the tournament final to Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets ten years ago.
But it took control of the Czech Noskova 6-2 6-3 to win the title this time.
Bencic’s other WTA victory this year in Abu Dhabi came just 10 months after giving birth to her first child – and less than four months since returning from more than a year of maternity leave.
Swiss Bencic, who won the women’s singles gold at the Tokyo Olympics, said: “I feel that Tokyo and Japan are two happy places in my career, and it is the place where I have achieved good success and I love being here.”
“I had a similar moment on the court. I had match point on the same side of the court, I went for the same serve and I was telling myself the same things. I got goosebumps, it was really special. It’s great to win here again.”
When Bencic, previously ranked fourth in the world in 2020, returned to the sport in October 2024, her world ranking had fallen to 1,213.
She rose to No. 13 in the world rankings and earlier this year reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon before losing to eventual champion Iga Swiatek.
“I’m really enjoying my time on tour and I think it shows in the results,” she added.
“I couldn’t be happier and I’m definitely surprised. This was definitely not planned.”
“It’s hard work but it takes a lot of self-confidence and a lot of mental belief as well.
“I’m really happy to get this confirmation for myself that I can try to beat my best ranking ever.”
Noskova, 20, also lost the final of the China Open at the beginning of the month and was looking to build on her only win on the WTA Tour.
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