Jabeur seals Charleston title in 2022 rematch, exacting revenge on Bencic
Ons Jabeur just needed one more try at it.
The 2022 runner-up here, Jabeur exacted revenge on reigning champion Belinda Bencic to capture the 2023 Credit One Charleston Open, her fourth career title and first in the U.S.
The Tunisian world No. 5 battled from a break down in the first set and then held her nerve – and her lead in set two – to move to 15-4 in her Charleston career, beating the Swiss star 7-6(6) 6-4.
As the Credit One Stadium roared, Jabeur thrust her arms overhead, then ran over to her coach and partner to celebrate.
She and Bencic were the first duo to face off in back-to-back finals in tournament history.
Jabeur moves back up to world No. 4 as Charleston kicks off the clay swing on the WTA Tour, in which Jabeur is the defending champion in Madrid.
“We both have one big trophy and one small trophy,” Jabeur said to Bencic in a nod to their champion-finalist exchange.
She added: “Everything is worth it. I’m very happy. Belinda is such an amazing player.”
“How you played today was incredible,” Bencic added. “I am very glad that you’re back but tennis is better with you. It’s a pain playing against you… but congrats to you and your team.”
Jabeur was just 4-4 coming into Charleston having undergone minor knee surgery in February. The No. 2 seed didn’t drop a set all week, including a win over 2017 champion Daria Kasatkina in the rain on Saturday afternoon.
How about THAT 🤩
🇹🇳 @Ons_Jabeur avenges her loss from last year’s final, defeating Bencic 7-6 6-4 to win the 2023 #CharlestonOpen title 👏 pic.twitter.com/LVFDHSC7eG
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) April 9, 2023
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