BRISBANE – Czech tennis player Marie Bouzková has started the new season with a victory. At the opening tournament of the year in Brisbane, Australia, she defeated Romanian player Jaqueline Cristian in the first round in two sets, 6:4 and 6:3. In the next round, she faces a tough test in the form of 15th seed Paula Badosa of Spain.
Bouzková, who is trying to build on her consistent performances from previous years after last season, played with confidence and patience in the match. The duel with Cristianová lasted less than two hours, with the Czech player benefiting mainly from her good movement and reliable play from the baseline. In the first set, one break in the seventh game decided the outcome, which Bouzková confirmed without much trouble. In the second set, she built up a two-break lead and, despite a slight hesitation at the end of the match, secured the victory.
Cristianová tried to dictate the pace with more aggressive play, but she often made mistakes and was unable to keep up with the Czech player's precise defence for long. Bouzková, on the other hand, appeared calm, minimised unforced errors and worked well with the length of her shots.
In the round of 16, she will now face former world number two Paula Badosa, who is one of the tournament favourites. The head-to-head record favours the Spanish player, but Bouzková believes she can give the favourite a hard time. „She's a great player, but every match is new. I'll try to give my best performance,“ the Czech tennis player said after the match. The Brisbane tournament is an important preparation for Bouzková ahead of the upcoming Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season. A successful start to the year could be an encouragement for the 26-year-old Czech in her next matches.
gnews.cz - GH
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