ELINA Svitolina has had to fight hard, but eventually got past ninth seed and up-and-coming Czech talent, Marie Bouzkova in three tight sets. The pair went blow-for-blow in the final of the Monterrey Open after strong tournaments and it was the higher ranked Ukrainian who eventually got the chocolates in a 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory.

Svitolina won 76.9 per cent of her first serve points in the first set and broke two times to one, holding off a determined Bouzkova by saving seven of eight break point opportunities. The Czech was ultra-consistent on serve with a 79.2 per cent efficiency, but could not translate that into winning points with just a 57.9 per cent first serve success rate.

The tide finally turned for the young star in the second serve with another elite effort of 81.8 per cent efficiency on serve – just six faults in total – winning 74.1 per cent of her first serve, and half of her second serve points. She saved all three break point opportunities from her higher ranked opponent, whilst the Ukrainian saved four out of the five, but the one break cost her.

The third set was fairly even with Svitolina breaking an extra time once more – three to two – and won 66.7 per cent of her first serve points to Bouzkova’s 45 per cent. It was a poor serving effort from Svitolina with just half of her first serves going in, but she made up for it on the return, with 55 per cent of her return points a success, really putting pressure on the Czech. She eventually got home with a 61 per cent success rate off her serve for the match, and a 43.6 per cent success rate off the return.

Bouzkova’s run at the tournament has moved the previously 57th-ranked 21-year-old up into 47th, whilst for Svitolina, she has jumped back into fifth with the victory and sits just 10 points behind Sofia Kenin in fourth spot. It was the 25-year-old’s 14th singles title and first since 2018.