WTA Istanbul: Eugenie Bouchard edges Svetlana Kuznetsova. Rebecca Peterson wins
World no. 272 Eugenie Bouchard will compete in the third quarter-final of the season in Istanbul, prevailing over the top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 in two hours and 50 minutes. It was their first clash since Madrid 2017, with the Canadian bouncing back after a tight second set to move over the top and remain on the title course. Bouchard lost serve three times, serving well and delivering six breaks that carried her over the top. The opening two sets lasted for more than two hours, with nothing to separate the rivals. After six comfortable holds in the opener, Eugenie opened a 4-3 lead and wasted two set points on the return at 5-3. Kuznetsova broke back at 15 in the tenth game to prolong the set before Bouchard closed it 7-3 in the tie break. The Canadian had a 4-2 advantage in set number two and three match points on the return at 5-4. Svetlana fended them off to stay alive, stealing the tie break 7-5 to force a decider.
The momentum should have been on her side of the court, but that wasn't the case. Starting all over, Eugenie produced three quick breaks to forge a 4-1 advantage, crossing the finish line with a hold in game eight. Danka Kovinic defeated the 6th seed Alison Van Uytvanck 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 30 minutes, repelling all five break chances and stealing the Belgian's serve once in each set to move into the quarters. The 3rd seed Polona Hercog ousted Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 46 minutes. The Slovenian earned four breaks that carried her home, but only after a massive battle in both sets. Paolini led 3-1 in the opener before Hercog grabbed four straight games to forge a 5-3 advantage. Jasmine saved three set points in the tenth game and leveled the score at 5-5 with a break, only to lose serve in game 11 and hand the set to her rival.
Eugenie Bouchard will compete in the third WTA quarter-final of the season.The second set was more fluid and Polona grabbed a break in the late stage to seal the deal and advance into the quarters. Paula Badosa defeated the fellow Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 6-4 in an hour and 37 minutes for the first WTA quarter-final since Seoul last year. With 60% of the return points under her belt, Paola grabbed seven breaks from eight opportunities, squandering three match points at 5-1 in the second set before moving over the top with a break in game ten. A qualifier Tereza Martincova toppled the 4th seed Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-4 in 69 minutes, earning five breaks against the tired French player to book the quarters' place.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/32iASM9
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