Eugenie Bouchard moves into the third round in Doha after another tight victory

With all the top seeds in action in Doha Tuesday, unseeded Genie Bouchard was relegated to the third-largest court at the Qatar Total Open, therefore out of view of the broadcast cameras.

So there was no way for fans to really know how it all shook out, except that the 21-year-old Canadian survived a battle of service breaks against 22-year-old Denisa Allertova, taking the match 7-6, (0), 7-5 and moving into the third round. She awaited the winner between top seed and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and Saisai Zheng of China. (Update: Zheng upset Kerber, and so Bouchard will play Zheng). 

Click here for a clip from Bouchard's press conference in Qatar.

The first two games of the match were service breaks – a precursor of what was to come. Bouchard broke Allertova seven times (on 11 chances); Allertova returned the favour six times on the same number of chances. That's 13 breaks in 24 service games; more breaks than holds of serve.

In the end, Bouchard's ability to crush Allertova's second serve might have given her a slight edge; she won 19-of-26, or 73 per cent of points there.

On her side, the Canadian was streaky with her own second serve. She struggled at first, winning just five of the first 14. Then, she went on a tear where she won six of the next seven. The, she won just three of the final 15.

In the end, the only truly important service break was the final one; Bouchard took care of business as Allertova served to stay in the match.

The effects of winning two matches at a Premier 5-level tournament will already be felt, even if Bouchard goes no further. Ranked No. 61 entering the week, she could sneak into the top 50 by next Monday's updated list even if she loses her next match.

Bouchard is scheduled to play a smaller event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week before focusing on two more big tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.