Former World No. 5 Eugenie Bouchard locked horns with Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the WTA Abierto Zapopan 2021 semifinal. Against the odds, the matchup became one of the most exciting contests of the year.

Before the match, the 20-year-old recorded nine consecutive set wins in the tournament. Moreover, she had dropped only one set in her first qualifier against Japan’s Mayo Hibi.

Comparatively, the Canadian professional began the tournament by dropping a set to American Caroline Dolehide. Since then, she won all her following six to make it in the last four.

Thus, one of them had to mess up their tidy record. For the same reason, the pair fought tooth and nail to reach the final in Mexico.

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Eugenie Bouchard vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Set 1 – 6-2

Firstly, the Italian started with a service hold at 40-15, to which Eugenie Bouchard responded with a 40-0 service hold. After that, things started to ruffle up as the Canadian got the first break in the semifinal.

Despite a good start, Cocciaretto had to save a break-point again, which she somehow managed to secure. But her opponent had no intention of slowing down; Bouchard broke the Italian in her fourth service game.

As a result, the Canadian crushed the nine-set winning streak of the young Italian. Bouchard dominatingly won the opening set by 6-2.

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Bouchard and Cocciaretto battle it out in Set two

The Italian resumed well in the second set. However, she could not convert three breakpoints, allowing Bouchard to level the set at 1-1.

Following the long game, the 20-year-old Cocciaretto hurdled through four deuces to hold her serve. She knew that time was running out, and she needed to do better to break Genie Bouchard.

Unsurprisingly, the Canadian maintained her A-game inch-perfectly, which she carried throughout the tournament. It helped her get the first break and drew her closer to her eighth career final.

Inarguably, Cocciaretto utilized the entire court and won some breathtaking points. She even managed to break the Canadian when she was serving for the match.

At 6-2, 5-5*, the second set was once again open for both of them equally. Consequently, Cocciaretto took advantage of her revived momentum and took the lead for the first time at 6-2, 5-6.

In response, Genie held her service at 40-15 to take the second set to a nail-biting tiebreaker. Additionally, she also got the first break in the tiebreaker at 2-2.

The Canadian added more to her tally with big serves and closed the match at 6-2, 7-6 (7-2).

Bouchard will bid for her second WTA title tomorrow against either Sara Sorribes Tormo or Marie Bouzkova. Will she manage to win her first WTA title since 2014?

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