WTA Istanbul: Eugenie Bouchard saves seven MP's but loses to Patricia Maria Tig

The 26-year-old Patricia Maria Tig claimed the first WTA title in Istanbul on Sunday, prevailing over Eugenie Bouchard in the deciding tie break. It was a crucial clash for both players, with the Canadian chasing the first crown since Nurnberg 2014, advancing into the first final since Kuala Lumpur four years ago. Entering the qualifying draw, Bouchard gave her best in every match to reach the final, taking the opening set before suffering a 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 loss, despite fending off seven match points! Patricia Maria won five points more, fending off six out of ten break chances and delivering five breaks from 13 opportunities, remaining calm in the decisive moments to secure the first trophy that she shared with her daughter. Ready to give her 120%, Eugenie fended off six match points in games nine and 12, erasing another in the tie break before Tig crossed the finish line to leave Istanbul with the trophy in her hands.

Bouchard was the only player on the court in the opener, dropping five points behind the initial shot and earning two breaks for a 6-2. The Canadian held at love with a service winner in the first game, securing a break in game two following a wild forehand from Tig top open a 2-0 gap. A forehand winner pushed Bouchard 3-0 in front, wasting two break chances in the next game but holding at love with another forehand winner for a 4-1 lead. After two deuces, the Canadian held to move 5-2 up, breaking the Romanian at 15 to wrap up the first set 6-2. Eugenie experienced the first setback in the first game of the second set, wasting game points and finding herself a break down. Patricia Maria fired a forehand winner to cement the break and gain a 2-0 advantage, fending off two break points in game four to stay 3-1 ahead.

Patricia Maria Tig ousted Eugenie Bouchard to win the first WTA title. 

Eugenie got broken at love a few minutes later to fall 4-1 behind, earning a code violation and getting broken again in game seven to send Patricia Maria towards 6-1. The Romanian grabbed a break in the decider's second game, delivering three commanding holds for a 4-1 lead. Giving her everything, Eugenie saved two break points in the sixth game to remain in touch, breaking back at 15 to reduce the deficit to 4-3. Patricia Maria moved forward with another break in game eight, squandering three match points on serve in the next one to keep Bouchard in. Facing another three match points in game 12, Eugenie repelled them all to reach a tie break, refusing to surrender and hoping for a complete comeback. At 3-6, Bouchard erased the seventh game point before netting a forehand that propelled Tig towards the trophy. 

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