First clay court title 🏆
First Swiss champion in Charleston since 1999🇨🇭Congratulations, @BelindaBencic! pic.twitter.com/0yWvUSC76u
— wta (@WTA) April 10, 2022
“I feel like this is the tournament that you break through and then it goes the right way,” she said. “So I’m happy about it.”
Belinda Bencic beats Ons Jabeur: Bencic, of Switzerland, reached the semifinals here in her first visit in 2014 and hadn’t advanced that far until this year. She earned $158,000 for winning the season’s opening clay-court tournament.
“It’s so cozy here,” Bencic told the crowd at the trophy presentation. “You always make this such a family event.”
WATCH: What do you celebrate with after winning the @CharlestonOpen…champagne and caviar maybe? Not @BelindaBencic @krispykreme and @ChipotleTweets it is!! pic.twitter.com/YmXDdGfzLv
— Kevin Bilodeau (@KevinLive5) April 10, 2022
Bencic, seeded 10th, looked like she’d have an easy time with Jabeur, from Tunisia, whom she broke twice on the way to taking the opening set.
Charleston Open Finals LIVE: Belinda Bencic becomes CHAMPION, beats fourth seed Ons Jabeur in the finals
But Jabeur, the fourth seed ranked 10th in the world, cut down on the unforced errors and drew on the energy of the crowd, which applauded almost every move the dynamic 27-year-old made much of the week.
Belinda Bencic beats Ons Jabeur: Jabeur held serve at 5-all in the second set before ripping a forehand to break Bencic and tie the match. Jabeur got down on one keep and pumped her fist in celebration heading to the deciding set.
Victory for the Swiss 🙌
No.10 seed @BelindaBencic outlasts Jabeur and claims the @CharlestonOpen singles title! pic.twitter.com/kqQOwU782Z
— wta (@WTA) April 10, 2022
Charleston Open Finals LIVE: Belinda Bencic becomes CHAMPION, beats fourth seed Ons Jabeur in the finals
But it was Bencic who regained her form to open a 3-1 lead. Jabeur had one last rally, squaring the set at 3-all with her final break of Bencic’s serve.
That’s when Bencic’s smooth groundstrokes and near-perfect placement wore down Jabeur. Bencic took control for good after Jabeur sent a shot long to go up 4-3.
Bencic won the final game at love, dropping to her knees and covering her face in celebration after Jabeur’s forehand sailed over the baseline.
The two shared a long hug at the net after the match. Bencic moved to 2-0 against Jabeur, both of the wins coming on clay.
Belinda Bencic beats Ons Jabeur: Despite the loss, Jabeur had another successful run on the green clay at Charleston. She reached the semifinals of this event a year ago, then made the finals of a companion tournament here a week later.
Jabeur wasn’t thinking about the big picture. She broke out in tears at the trophy ceremony and in media interviews. This was her fifth WTA final, with the only win coming in Birmingham, England, last year.
WATCH: Maybe the point of the tournament at @CharlestonOpen today by @BelindaBencic …definitely the kick of the tournament by @Ons_Jabeur pic.twitter.com/WsYfNPI4r6
— Kevin Bilodeau (@KevinLive5) April 10, 2022
“Too many emotions today,” Jabeur said. “But hopefully, I can get past this. It’s a very tough loss, I think one of the toughest of my career. But I’ll keep going, you know.”
The tournament, first played in 1973 on Hilton Head Island, celebrated its 50th year. It was the first women’s-only pro tournament in the United States. It moved to its current location in 2001 and was rebranded the Credit One Charleston Open this year.
Charleston Open Finals LIVE: Belinda Bencic becomes CHAMPION, beats fourth seed Ons Jabeur in the finals
Thank you for your support of women’s tennis,” Bencic said.
Bencic, at 25, feels more consistent and confident with her game. Where it takes her next, she’s excited to find out.
“To show that I can do it in Olympics and I can do it here on the clay, it’s like a big challenge that I’ve overcome in myself and it helps me going forward,” Bencic said.
It was the first championship Sunday for the renovated Credit One Stadium after event owner Ben Navarro razed the old facility and rebuilt and expanded the venue from top to bottom. The renovation increased the stadium’s capacity from 7,000 to 11,000 seats, took two years to complete and cost approximately $50 million.
In the doubles final, Magda Linette of Poland and Andreja Klepac of Slovenia defeated Lucie Hradecka of Czech Republic and Sania Mirza of India 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (7).
Charleston Open Finals LIVE: Belinda Bencic becomes CHAMPION, beats fourth seed Ons Jabeur in the finals
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