Sixth-seeded Eugenie Bouchard bagged another win after defeating qualifier Nicole Gibbs 6-4, 6-2 during their second round match at the Shenzhen Open in China on Wednesday. Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska also advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over China’s Shuai Zhang.
Eugenie Bouchard Routs Nicole Gibbs
The 21-year-old Canadian, ranked 49 in the world, looked like her aggressive self as she routed Nicole Gibbs in two sets that lasted for 67 minutes. Sporting an all black outfit, Bouchard was all business on the court.
After an early exchange of breaks in the first set, Bouchard kicked it into a higher gear. She was taking shots early to take time off Gibbs. Bouchard was hard-hitting, making risky shots that mostly paid off. She also served well, hitting 63 percent of her first serves were in. The Canadian got plenty of help from the 22-year-old American ranked 109 in the world. During the fourth game of the set, Gibbs hit an unforced error to give Bouchard the early break. Up 5-3 and serving for the set, the Canadian was broken at love. It seemed like the Canadian was rushing due to the unforced errors she made.
Bouchard then asked for her coach, Thomas Hogstedt, during the changeover. Whatever Hogstedt said, it helped Bouchard to focus back into the game since she was frustrated after getting broken. Gibbs continued to help the Canadian committing unforced errors during crucial stages. She netted a forehand during a critical point in the 10th game to put Bouchard up 40-30. The American then double faults to hand the first set to Bouchard, 6-4.
Bouchard’s aggressiveness and Gibbs’ erratic ways continued in the second set. During the American’s second service game in the set, she made three quick unforced errors to give Bouchard three break points that she capitalized. She hit a forehand winner to break and go up 3-1 early in the set. Bouchard would go on and consolidate the break. It was the American’s mistakes that would cost her the set and the match. During her 4th service game, down 5-2, Gibbs hit two double faults to give the Canadian three breakpoints. Bouchard capitalized the breakpoints and hit a forehand winner to close out the match.
Bouchard had 13 winners, 31 unforced errors in total.
Bouchard will face Hungarian Timea Babos in the quarterfinals. The Canadian announced today that she’ll be playing at the Rio Open next month.
Radwanska Into Quarters As Well
Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska is off to next round at the Shenzhen Open after a 70-minute 6-1, 7-5 victory over China's Shuai Zhang on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Polish player ranked five in the world made quick work of Zhang during the first set, breaking three of her four service games. Aga served well as 82 percent of her first serves were in. She was aggressive, winning 71 percent of the first serves. Radwanska was on a roll, making clean shots in the first set.
But Zhang, ranked 139 in the world, put up a fight in the second set, breaking Radwanska early on. However, it didn’t last long as the Pole broke back. Both players would exchange breaks again later in the set.
During the 12th game of the set, looking to push a tiebreak, Zhang committed unforced errors to give Radwanska breakpoints that she capitalized. The Polish player hits a forehand winner down the line to close out the match.
Radwanska will face Qiang Wang ranked 110 in the world in the quarterfinals tomorrow.