Marie Bouzkova defeated Carol Young Suh Lee 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Livesport Prague Open.
The match took place on the hard courts in Prague as part of the WTA 250 event running from July 20 to 26. Bouzkova, the top seed and defending champion from the Czech Republic, controlled the contest after a competitive first set.
In the opening set, both players held serve for much of the way until Bouzkova broke late to take it 7-5. She then maintained her level in the second set and closed out the match 6-4. The victory advanced Bouzkova into the last eight of the tournament on her home soil.
Bouzkova entered the second round match after winning her opening contest 7-5, 7-5 against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Lee had advanced by defeating Veronika Podrez in three sets in the first round.
The Livesport Prague Open serves as an early hard court event on the WTA calendar ahead of the North American swing. Bouzkova has a strong history at this tournament, having claimed the title in previous years. She continues her campaign as the highest ranked player in the draw.
Lee, an American player, competed as a lower ranked entrant and pushed Bouzkova in stretches of the match. The result ends her run in Prague for this year.
Bouzkova will face her next opponent in the quarterfinals later in the week. The tournament continues with additional matches scheduled through the weekend. Other Czech players remain active in the draw as the event progresses on home courts.
The win keeps Bouzkova on track in the singles competition at the Livesport Prague Open. She has shown consistent form on hard courts this season leading into the event.