Top seed Elina Svitolina has branded her latest performance at the Abierto Seguro GNP Open as ‘amazing’ after dropping just one game during her semi-final clash against Arantxa Rus.
The world No.7 spent just 50 minutes on the court as she crushed her Dutch rival 6-0, 6-1. Making it Svitolina’s most one-sided match played on the WTA Tour in terms of games dropped in her entire career. The dominating victory saw the Ukrainian win seven games in a row at one stage as she dropped only three points behind her first serve and six behind her second. In total, Svitolina won 57 out of the 83 points played in the match.
“It was an amazing match from me,” Svitolina said in her on-court interview.
“I was very solid from the baseline and I was serving well, so hopefully I can keep it up for the final as well.”
Svitolina is now a win away from claiming her first title in 15 months. Her last triumph was at the 2018 WTA Finals, which she also reached the final at last year. In Monterrey this week she has defeated Danka Kovinić, Olga Govortsova and recent Acapulco finalist Leylah Annie Fernandez in straight sets.
Standing in her way of the title will be Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzková. A player who grabbed the attention of many last year at the Rogers Cup when she reached the semi-finals as a qualifier before losing to Serena Williams. Bouzková scored an upset win over second seed Johanna Konta. Downing the British player 6-3, 6-4, to reach her first WTA final at the age of 21.
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On paper Svitolina is the favourite to claim the title. She has played the Czech one before which was at the Guangzhou International last September. However, that match ended with her retiring during the second set due to a knee injury. Two out of Bouzkova’s three wins over top 10 players were due to injury. The only exception was her win over Sloane Stephens last summer.
Should Svitolina win the title she could re-enter the world’s top five on Monday. However, for that to happen she needs Sofia Kenin to not win the Lyon Open on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bouzkova will be making her top 50 debut regardless of what happens in the upcoming final.
