Stephens and Bouzkova Set to Clash in Zapopan Open Final
the Zapopan Open final is set, with American Sloane Stephens and Czech Marie Bouzkova securing their spots after thrilling semifinal victories.
Stephens, the tournament’s sixth seed and currently ranked 57th in the world, advanced due to an unfortunate injury to her opponent, Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya. The first set saw Kalinskaya, ranked 100th, dominate with powerful backhands, breaking Stephens twice to take a 4-1 lead. despite Stephens’ efforts, Kalinskaya clinched the first set 6-3.
The second set began with Kalinskaya continuing her strong performance, breaking Stephens twice more to lead 3-0. Stephens fought back, securing two breaks of her own, but struggled with her serve throughout. Kalinskaya broke Stephens again in the seventh game, putting her in a commanding position at 4-3.
At this point, Kalinskaya, visibly struggling with a hip injury, sought medical attention. Upon returning to the court, she was broken again and ultimately fell behind 5-4.The pain became increasingly evident, hindering her movement. Facing a 6-5 deficit, Kalinskaya suffered another break and was forced to retire from the match, handing Stephens a 7-5 victory in the second set.
Expressing her disappointment for Kalinskaya’s injury, Stephens acknowledged her own satisfaction with reaching the final. “It’s never ideal to win like this,” she stated, “but I’m thrilled to be in the final and looking forward to a strong finish to the tournament.”
In the other semifinal, Bouzkova, ranked 96th in the world and fresh off her quarterfinal victory over defending champion Sara sorribes, triumphed over China’s Qiang Wang in straight sets. The first set was a closely contested affair until the seventh game, where Bouzkova capitalized on a triple break point to take a 4-3 lead.She maintained her momentum, securing another break in the ninth game to win the set 6-3.
Wang, the 30-year-old veteran, adopted a more aggressive approach in the second set, employing powerful drives and volleys. She broke Bouzkova in the third game, taking a 3-1 lead. However, Bouzkova responded with breaks in the sixth and eighth games, ultimately winning the set 6-3 and securing her place in the final.
An elated Bouzkova expressed her excitement, stating, “I can hardly believe it! I’m in the final and ready to savor every moment.”
The Zapopan Open, played on a hard court surface, boasts a prize pool of €233,065 ($262,727). The final promises to be a captivating showdown between two talented players vying for the coveted title.
A Zapopan Open Final Preview: A Chat with Tennis Legend Gabriela Sabatini
The Zapopan open final is shaping up to be a real nail-biter, with Sloane Stephens and Marie Bouzkova battling for the title. To get our expert take on this intriguing matchup, we’re thrilled to welcome tennis legend and former World No.3, Gabriela Sabatini!
Gabriela, thanks for joining us. First off, your thoughts on Stephens’ path to the final. Obviously, a tough way to win with Kalinskaya retiring due to injury.
gabriela Sabatini: “Its always heartbreaking to see a player forced to withdraw, especially when they’re playing so well. You have to feel for Kalinskaya,she was really dominating that match early on.Sloane’s a fighter though, she dug deep and was starting to find her rhythm. It’s unfortunate it ended this way, but Sloane deserves credit for pushing through. It shows her mental toughness.”
Right, kalinskaya’s injury opened the door, but Stephens wasn’t exactly dominating before that. Do you think she’s the favorite against Bouzkova?
GS: “That’s a great question! Both players have shown notable form this week. Bouzkova’s win over Sorribes was a statement, especially after Sorribes’ stunning performance last year.Bouzkova’s consistency and court coverage are her strengths, and she seems to be playing with a lot of confidence. Stephens has the experience edge, and she can be incredibly hazardous when she’s on her game.This is going to be a close one, I wouldn’t want to call it just yet.”
Bouzkova’s aggressive approach against Wang was particularly impressive.Can she maintain that against Stephens, who’s known for her powerful baseline game?
GS: “Absolutely, Bouzkova will need that aggression. She can’t afford to let Stephens dictate the rallies. Bouzkova has good shot-making ability and can mix up her pace well – she’ll need to use those weapons effectively. Stephens, on the othre hand, will want to control the points from the baseline.
Do you see either player having a particular advantage on the hard court surface in Zapopan?
GS: “Both players have had success on hard courts. Stephens, of course, won the US Open, which is a testament to her ability on this surface. Bouzkova has also shown she can adapt to different surfaces – she reached the semis in Monterrey on hard courts earlier this year.It comes down to who executes their game plan better on the day.”
What are you most looking forward to seeing in this final?
GS: “It’s two players with contrasting styles, both playing great tennis. I think it will be a battle of wills, a test of both physical and mental toughness. It will be engaging to see how they adapt to each other’s games and who can ultimately seize the opportunities.It should be a fantastic final!”
Thanks so much for your insights,Gabriela. As always, your expertise is invaluable.
readers, what are your predictions for the Zapopan Open final? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you agree with Gabriela’s assessment, or do you have a different take on this exciting matchup? Let’s here it!
