Svitolina endures marathon slugfest to capture Monterrey title

Top seed Elina Svitolina clinched her first title of the 2020 season on Sunday at the Abierto GNP Seguros.

The Ukrainian faced ninth-seeded Czech Marie Bouzkova, who upset second seed Johanna Konta to reach her first WTA final of the season. In a thrilling three-hour encounter, Svitolina was able to outlast the Czech 7-5 4-6 6-4 and claim her first title since winning the season-ending WTA Finals in 2018.

The opening game saw Svitolina save six break points before finally succumbing to a backhand winner from her opponent. Bouzkova held to make it 2-0 but was broken in her subsequent service game to even the set at 2-2.

With no further breaks of serve, Bouzkova attempted to take the set to a tiebreak at 5-6. However, some exceptional play by the top seed saw her reach set point, and an errant Bouzkova backhand handed Svitolina the first set after an hour and 8 minutes.

The second set saw only one break of serve, with Bouzkova capitalizing on some shaky play from the Ukrainian to grab a 4-3 lead. After squandering two set points on Svitolina's serve, Bouzkova finally converted on the third time of asking. The Czech star had leveled the match and it was only fitting that it went to a decider.

Following an early exchange of breaks in the final set, it was Svitolina who increased her intensity and obtained a crucial break to lead 3-1. The top seed obtained a second break to serve for the title at 5-2. However, a determined Bouzkova rallied to erase the deficit. She served to stay in the match at 4-5, but faltered to give the Ukrainian two match points. The World No.7 converted on her first try, capturing the title after three hours.

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