In a powerful display of resilience and redemption, Belinda Bencic clinched the 2025 Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo by defeating Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-3 in the final.
This title marks her 10th overall on the WTA Tour and her second of the year, following a win in Abu Dhabi earlier in the season.
What made the victory even more significant is the backdrop: a decade ago, Bencic reached this same tournament final but came up short, losing to Agnieszka Radwańska in straight sets in 2015.
Her win this time around served as personal closure—proof that she had moved beyond the pain of that defeat and grown in the process.
Bencic’s dominant performance in the final left little doubt. She broke Noskova early in each set and kept the pressure on throughout. The Swiss player described a goose-bump moment when she realised she was playing on the same side of the court, using the same serve she attempted in 2015, and saying to herself the same words as she did ten years ago.
She also reflected on the atmosphere: “The last time I won here … it was an empty stadium,” referencing her gold-medal win at the Tokyo Olympics during Covid restrictions. Now playing in front of a full crowd at the Ariake Coliseum, she relished the moment.
On the other side, Noskova – only 20 years old – had a somewhat smoother path to the final, benefiting from a withdrawal and a walkover en route. She admitted she did not have full rhythm heading into the final and credited Bencic’s comeback journey as inspiring. “[Belinda] played incredible this week,” Noskova said.
Behind the scenes, Bencic’s story adds extra layers: she returned from maternity leave (giving birth in April 2024) and had dropped outside the top-1000 in the rankings during her absence. Her resurgence to number 13 in the world and capturing her 10th title shows not only physical capability but mental fortitude.
In summary, this Tokyo win for Belinda Bencic is more than a trophy. It is redemption for a decade-old loss, a comeback after motherhood, and a milestone marking her tenth career title. In the end, the final scoreline may read simply 6-2, 6-3—but the story behind it runs far deeper.
