Eugenie Bouchard Falls To Maria Sharapova In French Open Semi-Final
By Jared Book
It was a tough end for Montreal’s Eugenie Bouchard. Bouchard won the opening set but ultimately fell in three sets 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to the finalist last year and winner the year before Maria Sharapova.
Bouchard started strong, getting an early break in the first set and eventually traded breaks before Sharapova came back strong in the second set. The Canadian fought back to make it 5-5 in the second set but lost two straight games to fall 5-7.
In the final set, she lost an early break and was broken again after fighting back from several match points.
It is still a step up for Bouchard who won her first set from the Grand Slam winner. The two previous matches went in straight sets including their second round meeting at the French Open last year. The country seems to also rally around Bouchard who is becoming more popular on the world stage as well.
Bouchard is now solidified in the rankings. She will be at least No. 13, up from No. 16 this week, She will be No. 12 in the world as long as Andrea Petkovic does not win the tournament. At this point last year, she was ranked 77.
The focus for Bouchard now goes to the grass court season culminating in Wimbledon. She has historically done well at Wimbledon, including winning the Junior title there in 2012. Bouchard is the only woman to reach the semi-final in both Grand Slam tournaments this season. She reached the Round of 32 last year.
On the Junior side, Montreal’s Francoise Abanda defeated Paula Badosa Gibert in the girl’s quarterfinal and will move on to the semi-final. She is one of the three seeds remaining in the draw at No. 10. She faces a battle in the next round, however, as she will face off against the No. 1 seed from Serbia, Ivana Jorovic.
The girl’s semi-final takes place tomorrow.