Bencic Triumphs Over Kenin to Reach Tokyo Final
Bencic emerged victorious against American Sofia Kenin in a thrilling three-set match on Saturday in Tokyo, clinching the win with scores of 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-2 in 2 hours and 15 minutes. This victory propels her into the final against Linda Noskova.
Notable Achievements
This marks Bencic’s second appearance in the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, a decade after she finished as the runner-up at the age of 18. With this win, she qualifies for her 10th career final and second this season, following her WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi earlier in February.
Post-Match Reflections
“It was a very tough match, for sure,” Bencic remarked post-match. “I’m exhausted right now. I tried to shorten the points, take more risks, and thankfully it went my way today.” She also expressed appreciation for the crowd’s support, emphasizing its motivational impact.
Endurance on the Court
Bencic’s journey this year has been remarkable, with her taking on lengthy matches since rejoining the WTA Tour as a new mother. Notably, she participated in the longest match of the 2025 season just over a week ago in Ningbo, continuing to engage in challenging contests throughout.
A Fresh Challenge Ahead
Her upcoming final presents a new challenge; Noskova, who has only spent 35 minutes on court in the quarterfinals and semifinals due to a retirement and a walkover, will bring a well-rested dynamic that could test Bencic’s endurance strategy.
Key Match Highlights
The semifinal match saw both players entering after saving match points in their respective quarterfinals, leading to intense competition from the start. Bencic had multiple break points early in the first set but faced tough resistance from Kenin. After fierce exchanges, Bencic secured the first set in a tiebreak.
Close Match Stats
Despite the physical demands, the quality of play was impressive, with both competitors delivering their best. Bencic finished with 47 winners against 27 unforced errors, while Kenin recorded 50 winners and 36 unforced errors. Ultimately, Bencic’s decisive backhand winner sealed the victory, with only six points separating the two players throughout the match.
Noskova Advances to Final
Earlier that day, Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Toray Pan Pacific Open due to a back injury, allowing Noskova to advance to the final via walkover. This will be Noskova’s third final of the season, as she seeks her first title after falling short in her previous two finals.
