The 63rd-ranked Bucsa was coming off her first career win over a top-10 player with her semi-final triumph over seventh-ranked Jasmine Paolini. She had reached the second final of her career without dropping a set.
She was on fire to start, winning the first three games and bouncing back from a break in the fourth game to win the next three as Frech struggled for consistency.
As Frech stepped things up in the second set, Bucsa's errors multiplied and she quickly found herself down two breaks at 0-3 to the 57th-ranked Pole, who leveled the match with authority but was broken in the fourth game of the third.
"First, I want to congratulate Cristina for an unbelievable week," said Frech on her loss. "You played amazingly. I gave everything on the court. I left all my heart, but it wasn’t enough for you today. You played really great. I just want to congratulate you and your team for great work. For sure, it’s not the first and the last final for you. I wish you good luck for the rest of the season.”
Bucsa was broken as she served for the match in the ninth game, but she put it away in the next with the aid of two gutsy volley winners and two double faults from Frech.
“Magdalena, congratulations for this incredible week," said Busca after the match. "I don’t know if you remember, we played in Saint Malo… We give all our best. Here we demonstrated how tough we are. You’re also a great champion. I also want to congratulate your coach for the amazing job he’s doing with you. I wish you a very fast recovery for Indian Wells. Hope to see you in many more finals."
Busca came into the tournament with five straight losses. Now, she leaves as the World's new No. 31.