Belinda Bencic: Tokyo 2020 champion outlasts Ons Jabeur in three sets to win a sixth career title at the Charleston Open

Belinda Bencic fought hard to win the Charleston Open on Sunday, beating Ons Jabeur 6-1 5-7 6-4 on Sunday. The Olympic champion outlasted her Tunisian opponent in two hours and 35 minutes to win her first trophy on clay. Ad/> Bencic became the first woman to win the event since former World No.1 Martina Hingis in 1999.

TennisSwiatek, Alcaraz soar over Sunshine Double, but who else shone?04/04/2022 AT 09:29 «Super proud to win the first title on clay,» the 25-year-old said after the match. «I think it was a week where I was fighting. I was two points away from the exit in the first round, and I feel like this is how you win the tournament.

»I'm just really relieved I served it out. I think Ons, she took everything from me today. And at some point I just really didn't know what to do anymore, and I think she played great in the second set… I was just trying to fight every point.

«It means a lot, and especially this is the 50th anniversary of [the tournament], and it makes me so happy that I am among those names, especially when I saw yesterday all the former champions.» /> Bencic started the final well, winning 90 per cent of shots on her first serve and simply overpowered Jabeur in a set she wrapped up in 32 minutes. The second set was more closely contested as Jabuer recovered from a break down in the second game with a forehand winner. Djokovic's return: What to look out for in Monte Carlo 'Many moments of doubt' — Wawrinka wondered if he would return from injury Jabeur saved a further two break points in the set before holding her serve to take a 6-5 lead.