09 March 2020

Elina Svitolina rallies past Marie Bouzkova in three-set thriller to clinch Monterrey Open

World No 5 Elina Svitolina secured her first title of the 2020 season after beating Marie Bouzkova in a sensational three-hour classic in the final of the Monterrey Open.

The Ukrainian eventually saw off the 21-year-old Czech 7-5 4-6 6-4 to win her first tour event since she claimed the WTA Finals in October 2018.

And the two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist is pleased she is beginning to hit the type of form she expects from herself at the start of the 2020 campaign.

After the match, Svitolina said: "Marie was fighting great, and I think it was a very high-level match.

"We’ve both been playing good, we were fighting, and there were no easy games. I think the people really pushed us to play our best, and it was amazing to get the support from the Mexican people.

"It feels amazing. It’s another step towards my goals, and I’m moving in the right direction. I’m happy that it’s going the right way.

"There were no easy ways after losing the second set. I really had to regroup and clear my mind, and be really on it and just keep working."

Svitolina's goal heading into the spring will now be to go one step further than she did at the French Open and Wimbledon last year by reaching a Grand Slam final for the first time.

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