Eugenie Bouchard displays outstanding form and advances comfortably in Guadalajara Open with impressive victory over Zarazua

WTA
Monday, 18 September 2023 at 00:40
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Eugenie Bouchard returns to the winner's circle in a WTA 1000 event and advances to the second round of the Guadalajara Open after defeating Renata Zarazua 6-1, 7-6(4).
Former world No. 4 received a wild card to participate in the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open, a decision that drew criticism as she was ranked outside the top 200. In the first round, she faced local player Renata Zarazúa (179th).
This marked Bouchard's return to the main draw of a WTA 1000 event for the first time since the Madrid Open, where she reached the second round but fell to the 18th seed Martina Trevisan.
Bouchard started the match dominantly, controlling proceedings in the first five games to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Up to that point, Zarazúa had only won four points compared to Bouchard's twenty.
In a hard-fought game, the Mexican managed to hold her serve for the first time, but Bouchard was relentless with her own serve and secured the first set 6-1. Bouchard won 73% of the points on her first serve and 89% on her second, compared to Zarazúa's 47% and 20%, respectively.
After the set concluded, Zarazúa experienced physical issues and requested a medical timeout due to back pain, which halted the match for several minutes.
Upon returning to the court, 25-year-old tennis player exhibited a change in her game, making fewer unforced errors, hitting with more depth, and displaying patience in her attacks.
Despite Bouchard maintaining her excellent serving, Zarazúa kept pace until she was broken in the fifth game, giving Bouchard a 3-2 lead. Both players held their serves, and although Bouchard had the opportunity to serve out the match, the Mexican secured a break, leveling the set at 5-5.
The match reached a tie-break, but Bouchard ultimately sealed her victory with a commanding 7-1 score in the tiebreaker. Bouchard proved superior for most of the match, particularly in her service game and aggressiveness. She ultimately secured the victory 6-1, 7-6(4).
In the second round, Bouchard will face the 7th seed Veronika Kudermetova, who received a bye in the first round due to her seeding position. Bouchard leads their head-to-head 2-0, although both previous encounters took place on clay, with the last one occurring at the 2020 Prague Open.

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