Bencic Overcomes Grueling Path to Tokyo Glory
Fresh off a punishing semifinal, Belinda Bencic harnessed Tokyo’s crowd energy to outlast Linda Noskova, claiming her 10th WTA title in a display of grit and precision.
In the vibrant hum of Ariake Coliseum, Belinda Bencic dismantled Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-3, lifting her 10th career trophy after a decade away from this Tokyo final. The Swiss player, tested by exhaustion from back-to-back three-setters, imposed her will through steady baseline exchanges and sharp returns, breaking serve three times in one hour and 22 minutes. Noskova’s power shots faltered against Bencic’s tactical depth, as the crowd’s cheers amplified the victor’s resolve on the indoor hard courts.
Endurance tested through marathon matches
Bencic arrived drained, having logged 5 hours and 23 minutes on court over the previous two days, including a grueling semifinal against Sofia Kenin. Those encounters sharpened her adjustments, favoring crosscourt forehands to stretch opponents wide and disrupt their rhythm. Yet in the final, she reset with poise, her movement fluid despite the fatigue, turning potential weakness into commanding presence.
“It was wonderful playing in front of you guys,” Bencic said after the match. “The last time I won here was the Tokyo Olympics when it was an empty stadium, so it was a completely different atmosphere, but it was great to play in front of you guys. I love to play in Japan, so I’m super happy to finally win this tournament.”
Tokyo revives Olympic memories
Four years after securing the Olympic singles gold medal and doubles silver in this city, Bencic rediscovered joy amid roaring fans, a stark contrast to the silent pandemic stands of 2021. The venue’s legacy fueled her mental edge, bridging past triumphs with this hard-court breakthrough. Noskova, meanwhile, entered fresher, spending just 35 minutes across her quarterfinal retirement and a semifinal walkover when Elena Rybakina withdrew citing a back problem.
Tactics turn rest into rust
Noskova’s lighter schedule left her underprepared for the final’s tempo, as Bencic exploited the mismatch with a one–two punch of deep serves and angled approaches. Underspin slices disrupted the Czech’s flat groundstrokes, forcing errors on inside-out attempts that veered wide. Bencic’s precise down-the-line backhands sealed points, her experience neutralizing raw power and building momentum toward the WTA Finals.