Frech stops Stakusic in Guadalajara quarterfinals

Magdalena Frech ended a special run in Mexico from Marina Stakusic, defeating the Canadian 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour, 44 minutes to advance to the semifinals of the Guadalajara Open.

The 26-year-old from Poland struck 18 winners, won 73 percent of her first serve points and converted three of nine break point opportunities in the straight sets victory.

The win halted what had been a significant breakthrough week from Stakusic. The Canadian achieved her first career WTA quarterfinal, having defeated top seed Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16 on Thursday. The victory over the world No. 12 was also her best career win by ranking.

The 19-year-old initially came out of the blocks strong on Friday night as well.  

Playing tightly to the baseline, the Canadian struck a swinging volley winner early to break Frech’s serve in the opening game of the match. However, a pair of backhand errors would concede the break back, and the match carried on more even terms from there.

The fifth seed from Poland staved off two break point chances for the Canadian in the fifth game of the opening set, holding for a 3-2 advantage. She’d again escape trouble to hold for 5-4, applying firm pressure on the young Canadian.

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While the Mississauga native initially staved off a set point opportunity from Frech, she flinched on the second, double faulting to concede the opener 6-4 in 55 minutes.

The 26-year-old raised her level even higher in the second set, raising her consistency and aggression. A fortunate net cord winner gifted an apologetic Frech the early break of serve in the second.

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The scoreboard advantage would prove pivotal in the late stages.

Stakusic mounted one last stand, first saving four match point chances to hold for 3-5; she then struck a pair of baseline winners to bring up a 30-40 opportunity, her only break point chance of the second set.

Frech, however, fired one of her two aces to deny the Canadian, and closed out the victory on her fifth match point.

The fifth seed will face Caroline Garcia of France in the semifinals on Saturday.