GUADALAJARA, Mexico, March 14, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Sara Sorribes Tormo
regrouped late to capture her first WTA Tour title Saturday with a 6-2, 7-5
victory over former world number five Eugenie Bouchard in Guadalajara,
Mexico.
Spain’s Sorribes, ranked 71st in the world and seeded fourth in the
hardcourt tournament, buckled down to win the final four games and seal the
victory over the big-hitting Canadian, who remains in search of a second
career title seven years after she lifted her lone WTA trophy to date at
Nuremberg in 2014.
That was the same year Bouchard reached the Wimbledon final, rising as
high as fifth in the world.
But she has since endured years of disappointment, fighting to return to
form after suffering a concussion when she slipped in the locker room at the
2015 US Open.
Bouchard was playing in her eighth career final, and her first since
Istanbul last year.
The 24-year-old Sorribes was in her first WTA final, and made it count.
The Spaniard took full advantage of 22 unforced errors from Bouchard in
the opening set, making just seven herself and saving all seven break points
she faced.
She opened the second set by breaking Bouchard, and when they had traded
three straight breaks Sorribes held to take a 3-1 lead, appearing to be on
her way.
But Bouchard won the next four games, breaking Sorribes at love for a 5-3
lead and a chance to serve to even the match.
Instead, Sorribes roared back, sealing the victory on her first match
point with a high volley into open court.