Eugenie Bouchard Outshines 19-Year-Old McNally, Reaches WTA Abierto Zapopan 2021 Semifinal

The WTA Abierto Zapopan 2021 set up a blockbuster clash in the quarterfinals. On one side stood the former World No. 5 Eugenie Bouchard, and opposite her was 19-year-old Catherine McNally.

Both players were passionate enough to have made it this far into the competition. However, tennis chose the Canadian star to be its winner today. But even so, the American teenager played with high spirits against her acclaimed opponent. Moreover, she forced the Canadian to play her best to go into the next round.

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Eugenie Bouchard vs Caty McNally: The toe-to-toe set

To begin with, McNally made the first breakthrough in the quarterfinals match of the WTA 250 event. She broke her opponent’s serve to take the lead in the battle, but she gave up the lead soon after.

Unsurprisingly, Eugenie Bouchard took a few games to get into her solid momentum. Following a big serve and a blistering backhand, the Canadian professional was unstoppable.

The duo shared equal games and leveled each other at 4-4 in the opening set. After that, Eugenie upped her game and closed in on McNally. Without any great argument, the 19-year-old gave away the hard-fought set in the next two games.The incredible forehand of the Canadian star is also worth mentioning.

Across the net, Bouchard looked to be in control and confident enough to stay a day longer in Mexico. She took the first set at 6-4 and served to progress at the WTA Abierto Zapopan 2021.

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Bouchard vs McNally: The thrilling set

From here on, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist provided her opponent with nothing. Bouchard had no problem putting her skills on display.

After breaking McNally’s first serve, the Canadian professional was in the driving seat on the road to the semifinals. She was leading 3-0 in the second set.

However, McNally held her serve to show that she had not given up yet. She even scored a breakpoint in the following game, and the score was 6-4, 3-2.*

Continuing on her newfound momentum, the American managed to fail Bouchard’s service game. However, failing to hold her serve, McNally offered the Canadian the serve for the match. The 27-year-old saved her best service game for the last and closed in the match at 6-4, 6-3.

Bouchard will go on to battle another 20th-century player Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the semifinal. Considering her past performances, she had the best odds to take the title home.

Will Bouchard win her second WTA title after 2014 Nürnberger Versicherungscup?

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