Kudermetova advances to third round at Guadalajara Open after intense battle with Eugenie Bouchard

Veronika Kudermetova defeated Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-4 and advances to the third round at the Guadalajara Open.

Eugenie Bouchard was seeking her second consecutive win in a WTA 1000 event after a strong performance against Renata Zarazúa in the first round (6-1, 7-6). The Canadian received a wild card that granted her access to a WTA 1000 main draw for the first time since the Madrid Open, where she exited in the second round.

The Russian world No. 17 arrived with a challenging recent record of 1-4 since the start of the hardcourt swing. She entered the tournament as the 7th seed and received a bye in the first round. Kudermetova's mission was to defend the quarterfinals she reached in 2022, where she lost to Maria Sakkari (1-6, 7-5, 4-6).

From the outset, Bouchard displayed aggression and had three break points in her favor, but Kudermetova managed to save them and take an early lead with a break. The Russian comfortably held her service until 5-2 when she secured her second break, capitalizing on the second set point to win it 6-2.

Kudermetova proved strong in crucial points, converting two out of three break points in her favor, while the former world No. 4 missed four break opportunities.

In the second set, it was Bouchard who earned the first break, going up 3-1, but Kudermetova leveled the score at 3-3. The Russian secured a break to lead 5-4 and had the chance to serve for the set, but the Canadian fought back and seized the second break point to level the score. Everything came down to a tie-break, where both players had their ups and downs, but the former Wimbledon finalist prevailed, taking the set 7-6(4).

In the third set, Kudermetova took an early lead, going up 3-1 thanks to a break in the third game, and she held her service. The Russian faced a break against her, but she then won the following game to lead 5-3. Despite Bouchard's resistance, the world No. 19 ultimately secured a hard-fought match 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-4.

In the third round, she will face the winner of the match between 10th seed Victoria Azarenka and world No. 102 Dayana Yastremska, which is scheduled for September 19th.