Sixth seed Eugenie Bouchard continued her winning ways in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on Friday evening, defeating Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay 6-1, 6-4 to book her place in the semi finals of the 2016 BMW Malaysian Open. Awaiting her in the last four is big-serving Brit Naomi Broady, who fired down 10 aces en route to edging out third seed Sabine Lisicki 7-6(4), 1-6, 7-5 in her respective quarter final clash.
Bouchard Overpowers Buyukakcay to Take Opening Set
After opening proceedings with a pair of holds, it was the former world number five who drew first blood, breaking to open a 2-1 lead. From there, the Canadian number one, who had been serving exceptionally well, went on to consolidate the early break before beginning to force the issue upon Buyukakcay once more, who was doing everything she could to stay in the rallies. In a lengthy sixth game, it was a case of sixth time lucky for Bouchard as she converted her sixth break point to mount a 5-1 advantage, which reasserted her authority on this quarter final match even further. Once there, the world number 52 proved she needed no second bite of the cherry as she converted her first set point to take the opening set 6-1 in emphatic style.
Bouchard Takes Tightly-Contested Second Set
The second set began much like the first but it wasn’t until the fifth game where the first break point opportunity presented itself. Unsurprisingly, it was Bouchard who was calling all the shots, and it was only a matter of time until she found herself up a set and 3-2 after claiming the early break. From there, the Canadian mercilessly continued her momentum by consolidating the break, before breaking for a second time -- much like in the opening set -- to mount a 5-2 advantage. Buyukakcay, however, was not prepared to go down so quickly, and managed to save two match points before recovering one of the breaks and holding to close the gap to 5-4. However, it was a case of too little, too late for the Turkish number one as Bouchard managed to serve out the match at the second bite of the cherry, thus closing out a comprehensive 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Post-Match Thoughts from Bouchard
"She was a tough opponent," Bouchard said. "I felt like I played very aggressive and solid at the same time."
Maintaining a 64% first serve percentage from the majority of the match, the Canadian was efficient throughout, winning 72% of her first serve points and a respectable 50% behind her second delivery.
These statistics are extremely impressive when you consider the high temperatures and brutal humidity in the Malaysian capital that the players have had to endure in each and every one of their matches this week.
"I got a little dizzy at the beginning of the second set but I managed to fight through," Bouchard admitted. "It's pretty tough here - it's very humid in Malaysia. Sometimes I was seeing four balls instead of one! But the physio helped me a little bit and I just kept fighting, took it one point at a time and luckily managed to win it in two sets."
Next Up for Bouchard: Naomi Broady
Next up for the former world number five is big-serving Naomi Broady, who edged out third seed Sabine Lisicki in her respective quarter final clash. The pair have met once before on the ITF Professional Circuit in 2012, with Bouchard coming from a set down to defeat Broady 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. However, both players have significantly improved since that first round clash, and it will be a huge opportunity for both women to make an early statement of intent on the 2016 WTA season.