Cagla Buyukakcay has become the first Turkish player to clinch a WTA title after defeating Danka Kovinic 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, In the final of the Istanbul Open.
The Turkish No.1 had already secured her place in the record books after defeating Stephanie Voegele in the semifinals to become the first Turkish woman to reach a WTA Final. Buyukakcay has been impressive in Istanbul throughout this week, booking her place in the final without dropping a set. In comparison fifth seed Kovinic endured one three sets match on her way to the final. After defeating Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari 1-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarterfinals, Kovinic produced a straight sets win over Kateryna Kozlova.
Playing his her maiden final in her home country, Buyukakcay got off to a slow start after dropping her first two service games of the match to allow the fifth seed to ease her way to win the first set. Kovinic is a tricky opponent for the Turkish player. At the Charleston Open earlier this year, the world No.60 crushed Buyukakcay 6-1, 6-3.
Buyukakcay’s fortunes started to turn around during the middle of the second set as she broke to lead 3-1. Unlike the opening set where she failed to gain any momentum in the match due to her opponents fierce hitting on the court, the 26-year-old leveled the match with ease, sending her home crowd into euphoria.
With drums beating and the crowd cheering, the venue was reminiscent of a Fed Cup final as supposed to a WTA Final. Buyukakcay grabbed the crucial break in the deciding set during the fourth game. As Kovinic struggled to find a balance between her outstanding forehand winners and costly unforced errors, the fifth seed fire two consecutive backhand unforced errors to allow the underdog to move ahead 3-1. Buyukakcay did struggle to consolidate the break against the animated Montenegrin. In a lengthy game consisting of six deuces, the Turkish No.1 fended off four break points before extending her lead to 4-1. That hold of serve was key to the outcome of the match. Serving for the biggest title of her life, Buyukakcay failed to capitalize on her first four match points. Despite the nail biting game, she sealed the match on her fifth chance after a backhand slice for Kovinic landed in the net.
The title completes a fairy tale week for the Turkish player, who produced the historic achievement at her home tournament. In the Istanbul final, the 26-year-old converted 4/12 break points and won 63% of her service points.
“I’m in a big shock. After the match, I did not know how I was going to react. It is one of my dreams,” the new Istanbul champion said during her on-court interview.
“Thank you very much everyone. It was great to play in this atmosphere.”
The triumph in turkey will elevate Buyukakcay to a new ranking best of 82 in the world.
