Abu Dhabi Prediction: Elena Rybakina vs Belinda Bencic
February 7, 2025 at 10:10 AM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Elena Rybakina -208 / Belinda Bencic +141
Elena Rybakina and Belinda Bencic meet in the semifinal of the 2025 WTA Abu Dhabi Open on Friday, February 7, 2025. Here’s our Elena Rybakina vs Belinda Bencic prediction. This preview will also include an Elena Rybakina vs Belinda Bencic pick.
Elena Rybakina Preview
Elena Rybakina secured a great victory over Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinal. The top seed won in three sets for the second match in a row. This time, the match took 31 games to decide and lasted two hours and 15 minutes.
Rybakina trailed 2-4 in the final set tie-break, but won five straight points for the victory. The former Wimbledon champion hit three aces and five double faults.
She landed 57% of first serves in play and won 77% of first serve points (43/56). Rybakina won 40% of second serve points (17/42) and saved two of five break points.
Rybakina won 42% of return points (46/109) and converted four of 10 break points. She improves to 8-2 for the season and has won 10 of 12 matches in Abu Dhabi.
Belinda Bencic Preview
Belinda Bencic was the first to reach the semifinals of the 2025 WTA Abu Dhabi Open. Bencic beat 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets.
The match took 21 games to decide and lasted an hour and 46 minutes. In the victory, Bencic hit one ace and four double faults. She landed 63% of first serves in play and won 60% of first serve points (24/40).
Bencic won 46% of second serve points (11/24) and saved four of eight break points. The Swiss won 52% of return points (35/67) and converted six of 10 break points.
Bencic has now won 10 of 13 matches in 2025 and is 18-5 since returning from maternity leave.
Elena Rybakina vs Belinda Bencic Head-To-Head
• Rybakina and Bencic have played twice on tour.
• Bencic beat Rybakina en route to winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
• Rybakina earned a retirement win that same season in Chicago.
Elena Rybakina vs Belinda Bencic Prediction
Rybakina is not ready to relinquish her title just yet after her brilliant three-set win over Ons Jabeur. It wasn’t vintage Rybakina but this kind of statement win is a platform of progress after all the off-court issues she’s dealt with in the past year, not to mention her recent coaching change.
It’s a battle between former and current champions of the Abu Dhabi title squaring off for a spot in the final. Bencic has been in fine fettle since returning from her maternity break. She’s so good at frustrating power hitters with her ability to absorb pace like a sponge. She’ll also be cognizant of the fact that she might be playing an opponent who is not operating at full throttle. So a Bencic set handicap looks very promising here, but I’ll give Rybakina the edge on the money line.