Talaba Defeats Bouchard in California

September 26, 2019 | Women's Tennis

By: Harry Endicott

TEMPLETON, Calif. – Texas Tech women's tennis alum and two-time All-American Gabriela Talaba opened play in the main draw of the Central Coast Pro Tennis Open on Wednesday with a win over former World No. 5 Genie Bouchard.

Talaba took the match in three sets over third-seeded Bouchard, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to advance to the event's round of 16. The Romanian native is set to take on the United States' Grace Min in the second round on Thursday.

In 2014, Bouchard made waves in the tennis world in advancing to the semifinals of the Australian and French Opens, before making an appearance in the Wimbledon singles final. The Canadian product was voted the WTA's Most Improved Player that season following a 2013 WTA Newcomer of the year selection.

Talaba is looking for her fifth singles title since 2017, and second of 2019 after winning the $25,000 Ascension Project Women's Open earlier this month. Her current WTA singles ranking of No. 272 is a career high.