I just finished watching the third set of the torrid third round match between Carla Suarez Navarro and Eugenie Bouchard… Jeepers, my eyes! Carla eventually prevailed, 6-7(2) 7-5 7-6(7) in three hours and two minutes. The third set tiebreak was painful from both players, but especially Bouchard. This was a really tough loss for the world number six who served for the match on three occasions, once in the second set and twice in the third set. Also, she had a sitter up 5-3 30-30* in the third set that would have seen her have a match point. Suarez Navarro looked lethargic and wasn’t on her A-game, making a lot more errors than usual. Bouchard couldn’t capitalise, making a ton of errors herself with her all-or-nothing approach.
In the third set tiebreak, Suarez Navarro missed four match points in a row at 6-2 with one on a double fault. Bouchard returned the favour up 7-6 in the tiebreak with back-to-back double faults. Finally, it ended as Suarez Navarro hit a beautiful forehand to win the match and book a place in her TENTH quarter-final of the year. The only tournament where Carla hasn’t reached quarters was at the Australian Open. Furthermore, Carla extended her winning record in three set matches this year to 16-3.
The big talking point was Bouchard. The confidence is so low right now and with an all-out aggressive game plan (I swear she was a counter-puncher when she began on tour?!) it’s no surprise that she is wobbling. I can understand why Bouchard would adopt this gameplan since her movement around the court is not one of her strengths, but it doesn’t seem sustainable going forward. Against Suarez Navarro, there were so many missed returns and wild groundstrokes going long in the third set.
Bouchard faces a huge couple of months and I really don’t see how she can turn it around in time, even if the draws are kind. I was so impressed with how Bouchard dealt with the pressure in 2014 but this year, it just seems to have all got on top of her. Her mentality was one of the biggest assets to her game as she proved at Roland Garros last year, gutting out the win over Suarez Navarro in the quarters last year. Bouchard did struggle at the same time last year so perhaps it would be fairer to make judgements after Roland Garros. We’ll just have to wait and see…
Suarez Navarro goes through to play Petra Kvitova who won her third round match in straights sets against Jelena Jankovic, coming from an early break down in the first set. Kvitova also had a rather lucky escape in her second round match against Karin Knapp. The Italian player twice failed to serve out the match. Petra was mentally tough in the third set tiebreak, playing some clutch tennis and with a slice of luck too. Suarez Navarro has beaten Kvitova twice this year, back-to-back in Doha and Dubai. It would be typical Petra to lose the hard court matches and then win on clay, where arguably Carla is at her strongest. I’m going for Petra in straight sets in this one. She was obviously not 100% in their Middle East clashes and still won a set in both. Add to that, Suarez Navarro didn’t look herself against Bouchard and I wonder if all the tennis she has played this year could be catching up with her…
Moo's Tennis Blog 
It was a messy match from both players,though I must admit the 1st set from Bouchard was the best set of tennis I have seen from her,I feel she puts too much pressure on herself,also the media hasn’t helped her in ways.Carla survives though after this match I feel Petra will be too strong.
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I heard quite a few people say that, Margaret. Shame how it ended…
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Im delighted to see that the Petra V CSN QF materialised! I hope Petra hammers CSN tomorrow.
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One can only hope she improves after the clay as you say James. I’ve already stated my view on her current state of play. I feel someone like Carlos, Justine Henin and Li Na’s coach, would be of great benefit to her. She loves the grass, maybe she can string together some great performances come wimbledon.
Carla doesn’t play well against left handed players. She will have a tough time against a player as good as Kvitova even if she was right handed. I’ll wager a straight sets victory in favour of Kvitova. I would still pick a confident Kvitova over a confident Bouchard had Genie beaten Carla. She has the best lefty game on the WTA tour.
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I sometimes wonder why Carla is everybody’s nightmare. Then I got to understand when I read from so many forums how she constantly messes up parlays whether she is backed to win or lose. Annoying resilient player I would say. If bias can be put aside for a moment for clear reflection, then I can say unquestionably that Carla is certainly among the top three most improved players for the year, if not the most improved. she is also the fittest, and one of the most resilient players out there who nevers knows when she is beaten. Carla does not play well against left handed players? yeah yeah! Kvitova must be right-handed – a player Carla wrestled down in their last three meetings. So much for knowing your customer. i think Kvitova has the slight edge, but only slight due to the time Carla has spent on court. Still going to be a prolonged match and the tennis gods will need to rescue Kvitova if Suarez enters adrenaline mode again!!!
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I don’t have any grudge against Carla. In fact amongst the lefty players, Kerber included, she has a good game and a nice back hand. Yes, she is one of the most improved players this season and I’m not taking that away from her. A very dogged fighter sometimes. But I’m speaking in context here, having watched her this season and also watching Kvitova play this clay court season. Not playing well does not mean that she can’t beat someone. As you said yourself, she wrestled down Kvitova. likewise, she didn’t play well against Bouchard, but she did beat her in what I thought was a poor match. Kvitova is playing some great tennis on clay and it is my reason for picking her. You know Kvitova has lost to players who I think are of a lesser caiiber to Carla. Actually if Carla has the stamina to force a third set she may be in with a chance.
I will gladly be the first to acknowledge Carla if she pulls a win here, gladly.
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Well it all comes down to how well CSN can keep putting the ball deep onto the baseline, something she’s done very well this year. Kvitova’s game is all about stepping inside the court and taking every short ball and hitting a big strike. From the back of the court a lot of her strikes miss and even with her newly gained fitness, I’m sure she doesn’t want to engage in too many rallies.
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**Typo fix, Carla is not included in the lefties.
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Poor Bouchard should have won. Serving for the match twice but she couldn’t cross the line. Nevertheless, credits should give to CSN. She shows her determination in this match.
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I think Petra just got hit by the Navarro express!!!
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This one is for you, Jite. A Good win for Carla. She didn’t really show signs of fatigue if she was feeling any. Kept her head in it through to the end.
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