The Tokyo runner-up final sparked polarized opinions! Bencic was praised as a legend, while Noskova faced criticism.

Following the conclusion of the Tokyo 500 final, the result nearly exploded public discourse, with countless fans and online users expressing utter surprise!

Before the decisive match for the championship honor started, almost everyone thought Noskova had already grasped the trophy, making it difficult for Bencic to take the crown from the Czech young talent.

The public’s strong confidence in Noskova and early doubts about Bencic were related to how both players reached the final.

Shortly after Noskova faced Rybakina in the semifinals, the former Wimbledon champion withdrew due to physical issues, allowing the Czech girl to advance to the final without playing. Noskova had been in good form since moving to Tokyo, and now, resting while waiting for the winner between Bencic and Kenin, she naturally held all the advantages.

Although Bencic eventually defeated last year’s runner-up Kenin to reach the final, it was a hard-fought victory.

When Bencic battled Kenin to a first-set tiebreak lasting an hour, many thought that such a heavy energy drain in the opening set would be a huge challenge for the Swiss star in the following two sets.

Unexpectedly, after losing the second set 3-6 to Kenin and looking to be in trouble, Bencic dominated the deciding set 6-2 to seal the win, earning praise and admiration for this mother-athlete.

“This was definitely a very tough match, and I’m truly exhausted now,” Bencic said after her win, leading many to believe that even if her form matched Noskova’s, having endured such a grueling battle, it would be extremely difficult for the mother-player to overcome the well-rested Czech prodigy in the final.

Once the championship match officially began, Bencic was undoubtedly the player of greatest concern.

Fans and viewers in the live stream hoped the Swiss star could perform normally, as the two players faced very different circumstances: a win would be a surprise, while a loss was understandable.

However, when the spotlight match ended, it was not Bencic who was swept aside as some had predicted before the game, but rather Noskova.

When Bencic claimed the title decisively with a 6-2, 6-3 victory, many found it hard to believe such a scoreline came from the Swiss player, openly admitting that the previously underestimated Bencic truly shocked everyone.

After the match, many expressed deep disappointment in Noskova, with numerous critics bluntly stating she wasted her "prodigy" label. Losing two sets while resting might be one thing, but only winning five games in the entire match was an embarrassment that was painfully obvious.

Before Rybakina’s withdrawal, many thought Noskova’s chances of claiming her first title of the new season in Tokyo were slim. After the Kazakh player pulled out and considering Bencic’s exhausting win over Kenin, all signs pointed to Noskova as the favorite to win the championship.

Unexpectedly, playing one less match did not make Noskova a vigorous and unbeatable youngster; instead, it seemed to cool her momentum. She was thoroughly defeated by Bencic without even pushing the match to three full sets, causing many to question her status as a prodigy.

In contrast to the heavy criticism Noskova faced, Bencic has become a legend among mother-athletes.

In 2015, Bencic reached the Tokyo 500 final for the first time but finished as runner-up. After having a child, many believed she might never convert that runner-up finish into a title. Unexpectedly, she made up for that regret this time, standing on the Tokyo 500 winner’s podium a decade later.

This championship led many to regard Bencic as a legend for another reason.

After all 500-level tournaments this year concluded, Bencic was the only player among the 17 events who could rival top-ten players Rybakina and Pegula, with all three holding two 500-level titles each. Considering Bencic only returned at the start of this year and had to juggle both playing and motherhood, the significance behind her two 500 titles is even greater for the Swiss star.

Moreover, with this Tokyo 500 victory, Bencic’s ranking will rise to 11th next week. Remembering that at the start of the season, the Swiss player was ranked 421st, climbing over 400 spots in less than a year, many now rightfully call Bencic a legend among active players!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moonlit River Sky)