Genie Bouchard through to semis of Australian Open
Canada’s 19-year old tennis sensation Eugenie Bouchard is through to the semifinals of the Australian Open. Bouchard beat Ana Ivanovic 5-6, 7-5, 6-2 and will face Li Na in the next round.
“We had a tough match, she was playing well at times,” Bouchard said of Ivanovic. “When she did there was not much I could do. I kept fighting, played aggressive and stepped it up in the second and third sets.”
The showdown against Na will be Bouchard’s first semifinal at a major on just her fifth attempt. She is the second Canadian woman to reach a singles semifinal of a Grand Slam and the very first at the Australian Open.
Asked about her upcoming contest, Bouchard said “I played (Na) in Montreal in 2012, we had a tough battle but I was not so experienced back then. This time I’ll be ready. She won’t give me many chances so I’ll have to take any that I get.”
Carling Bassett made it to the semifinals at the 1984 US Open before bowing out to the legendary Chris Evert. Bouchard – who doesn’t turn 20 until next month – has now equalled that mark in Canadian women’s tennis achievement.
Bouchard ended 2013 on a strong note, being named Newcomer of the Year by the Women’s Tennis Association, which is another feat where she matched Bassett, who won the accolade in 1983.
Bouchard was also named 2013 Canadian Press female athlete of the year.
