BMW Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur

Women’s Final: [CR19] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. [CR52] Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)

Although Bouchard did not win, she seems to be finding the form that saw her make her way to the Wimbledon Final in 2014.  In a match where there were many shifts in momentum, there was no way to definitively pick a winner until the final ball was struck. Svitolina took the initiative, got the break and served to take the first set only to lose it in a tiebreak.  Bouchard then had the momentum on her side; yet, she lost the match.  Confidence was a key factor in this match.  Bouchard is still trying to regain hers, while Svitolina is brimming with it at the moment.  Svitolina won 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5, defeating Bouchard for the fourth time and winning her fourth career singles title.

THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR WATSON

Abierto Monterrey Afirme, Mexico

Women’s Final: [CR73] Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) vs. [CR84] Heather Watson (GBR)

The first set was over before Watson could figure out how to play the slices that Flipkens is famous for.  History was not on her side, she had lost the two previous matches to Flipkens and things looked very grim for Watson.  She was frustrated and the loss of the first set got her attention.  The changeover helped her to refocus on her plan and she started the second set off with a quick break and broke again to quickly take the second.  Things looked to be firmly in place for Watson in the third set until Flipkens remembered that her attacking style was what won her the first set and she broke to get back on serve; however, Watson was not to be denied, she redoubled her efforts and broke back.  The doubts were probably swirling around in their heads; yet, Watson suppressed hers to serve out the match. Watson defeated Flipkens for the first time in three tries, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 and won her third career singles title.