Bencic Claims Tokyo Title, Continuing Remarkable Comeback
TOKYO – Belinda Bencic secured her second Tokyo title, defeating Linda Noskova 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday at the Ariake Coliseum. The victory marks a notable milestone in Bencic’s career resurgence, having fallen outside the top 1,000 in the rankings in 2023.
Bencic, the 2021 tokyo Olympic gold medalist, demonstrated her affinity for Japan throughout the match. “I feel like Tokyo and Japan is a happy place in my career, a place where I’ve had good success and I just love being here,” she stated after the win.
The world number 13 secured an early break in the first set,going up 4-2 and ultimately closing it out 6-4. The second set proved more competitive, featuring a six-deuce game where Bencic took a 3-2 lead. She then broke Noskova in the eighth game and served out the match, finishing with a drive volley and forehand winner.
“I had a deja vu moment on court. I had match point on the same side of the court, went for the same serve and was telling myself the same things. I had goosebumps, it was really special. it’s great to win here again,” Bencic shared, reflecting on a poignant moment during the match.
This tournament win offered a markedly different atmosphere than her previous Tokyo triumph at the Olympics, which was held in an empty stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The last time I won here… it was an empty stadium – so it was a fully different atmosphere, but it was great,” Bencic remarked. “I’m super happy to finally win this tournament.”
For Noskova, the loss concludes a fortunate run to the final, benefiting from Elena Rybakina’s injury withdrawal and a quarter-final walkover from Anna Kalinskaya. It was her second final of the month, following a defeat to Amanda Anisimova at the China Open. The 20-year-old’s career record remains at one title, won in Monterrey last year.
“Obviously today was not my day,” Noskova conceded. “But congratulations to Belinda. She played incredible this week and today.I’m very happy to see you back, coming back from giving birth. It’s such an achievement. I definitely look up to you in so many ways. It was a great experience, although not a lucky one for me to play you today.”
