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Stefan Tonev
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Bencic saves 3 match points to beat Samsonova and win Abu Dhabi Open
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The Swiss becomes the first player to secure the UAE double, having won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in 2019

Swiss second seed Belinda Bencic came back from a set down and saved three match points to beat 1-6 7-6(8) 6-4 to beat Russian Liudmila Samsonova and win the Abu Dhabi Open on Sunday – her second title of the season.

Bencic, ninth in the world rankings, looked on course for a fourth straight loss to the 24-year-Russian after getting bulldozed in the first set.

The Swiss, however, toughed it out to edge a nail-biting second set tiebreak – saving three championship points – and took the decider for a 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory.

With the title at the inaugural tournament at Zayed Sports City’s International Tennis Centre, Bencic also becomes the first player to secure the UAE double, having won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in 2019.

Bencic, who won the Adelaide International title last month, now makes her way to Doha and the Qatar Open for the second leg of the Middle East swing.

“I’m happy to finally beat you, after last year!” Bencic told Samsonova.