by Belinda Bencic will look get the better of Liudmila Samsonova in the Abu Dhabi Open Final for the first time, with the Russian holding a 3-0 lead in the head-to-head between the two. The number 2 seed Bencic beat Beatriz Haddad Maia in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. She will be the fresher of the two finalists, as Samsonova beat Zheng over a deciding third set.
How Bencic Dominated Haddad Maia
The match provided plenty of entertainment, with excellent rallies and well-worked points. Bencic was aggressive in her serve and looked to swipe the point whenever Haddad Maia’s return was slightly short.
Bencic was decisive in her play and exceeded the 70% points won on both the first and second serve. Bencic also did well in her returns, winning 60% off Haddad Maia’s second serve and close to 50% off the Brazilian’s first serve. She forced Haddad Maia to save a total of 9 breakpoints, with the Brazilian ultimately saving 5 of them, whereas Bencic was only put to the test once and saved the breakpoint.
Samsonova gets the better of Zheng
Qinwen Zheng set the tennis world on fire on Friday by dominating number 1 seed Daria Kasatkina. However, Samsonova was prepared not to fall for the same errors. She got there in 3 sets, taking the first and final set, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
The Russian started well and took a whopping 88% of the points on her first serve. Though Zheng did well to recover 4 breakpoints, the Russian only needed one to stick and took the first set. However, Zheng obliterated the second set, breaking Samsonova twice.
It was all down to the third set and the Russian prevailed though she lived on the edge. The Russian player saved three break points and converted her only chance to break, which was enough to get her to the final.
The Final
Belinda Bencic will go in as favourite in tomorrow’s final on form and ranking, having already taken a WTA title earlier in the year. However, Samsonova will look to spoil the party and is no stranger to beating Bencic as she goes into the match with a head-to-head 3-0 lead. The Russian will feel confident also from the fact that she has never lost a final she has gotten to and so will be confident she can get the job done
It will no doubt play on the Swiss player’s mind, however, Bencic has been displaying some excellent tennis this, with minimal unforced errors and ruthless play. She will look to rewrite those records and grab her second title of the year.
The final will take place tomorrow Sunday 12th February at 1 pm GMT.
