Johanna Konta put her best showing on court that led to an advance to the finals of the Apia Sydney International Thursday. She gave no room for maneuvering to Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard beating her 6-2, 6-2 at Ken Rosewall Arena on the grounds of the Sydney Olympic Tennis Park. The fourth win for the hometown girl gave her a chance at capturing her second WTA singles title.
This was just the second time the two have met in their careers. Last season the Canadian went the distance winning the second round at Wimbledon knocking out the Brit. They found themselves on a collision course at a point where both had amazing runs getting to the semis. With the acquisition of Tomas Högstedt, the 22-year-old Montreal native saw her game dominate opponents winning the last three in straight sets.
Bouchard has stayed out front in most of the competitions showing that talents have not disappeared. Konta has been using the love of her native country to be a force to be reckoned against her. She defeated all three Russian’s in her way to get a chance to fight for a second career title. With the need to level the playing field, Konta would have to show the same strength in her previous performances to move on.
The two leveled with holds of serve in the opening pair but as Konta got the ball back; she began to see defense from the Canadian. Bouchard broke her in the third game before receiving the same treatment in the fourth. The turnaround for Konta grew into a runaway that she quickly gained ground on due to the struggles of Bouchard’s second service. The world number 10 reached two set points winning on a wild return from the Canadian that flew wide. It took just 32 minutes for Konta to take the opening lead expecting to see a fight come from the 22-year-old.
It was there briefly from the start of the second until Konta broke ahead for a 3-1 run. Bouchard nearly had a second win on deuce but quickly saw the advantage work against her. Konta won the game on the third break inching her way closer to a quick victory on court. She took the next pair at a brisk pace till it came time to serve for the eighth. Achieving two match points set her up for a rally that was returned long ending Bouchard in one hour and eight minutes.
The Brit averaged above 70 percent on first serves while her opponent suffered all-around. Bouchard’s second serve saw her win just 5 of 17 that clearly took a toll on her main serve and returns. While she’ll go and prepare for the season’s first major of the year, the 25-year-old Sydney native would vie for a second career title facing Agnieszka Radwanska in Friday’s singles final.
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