Bouchard beats Kerber in huge Italian Open upset
On back-to-back days in Rome, Eugenie Bouchard delivered perhaps her two most notable results of the season.
After a big win on Tuesday, the Canadian’s latest arrived on Wednesday when she beat world number two Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Italian Open 6-1, 5-7, 7-5.
Kerber – winner of the Australian Open – didn’t look her usual self to be certain, with double faults and unforced errors into the net destroying any chance for her to build momentum, but Bouchard was merciless in making the most of her opponent’s discomforts in the first set, winning two break points to take it 6-1.
The German superstar was on the ropes, losing two breaks to Bouchard to start the second set. Kerber however, got those back, turning the day around from 3-0 down to even up at 4-4 when her Canadian counterpart suddenly fell victim to unforced errors of her own up 4-3 on serve. Another break at 6-5 saw Kerber take the second set 7-5 and even up the match at one set apiece.
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It seemed Kerber regained form and was ready to put Bouchard away in the third set, taking a 2-0 lead after winning her fourth break point of the match. Bouchard though, wasn’t ready concede. She got that break back in the next game and consolidated to get back on serve. Then at 5-5, another error from Kerber opened the door for Bouchard to win the match with a break point to take her up 6-5. From there, Bouchard was able to serve out and win the two hours and 22 minute contest.
The win comes a day after Bouchard (ranked 46th by Women’s Tennis Association) dispatched world no. 25 Jelena Jankovic in three sets. Now in the third round of the Italian Open, Bouchard’s next opponent for a chance at the quarterfinals will be Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic, who is currently no. 36 in WTA rankings.
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Wednesday’s victory was Bouchard’s first win over a top-10 WTA ranked player since she defeated then no. 7 Caroline Wozniacki at the Wuhan Open in China back in September 2014. That year Bouchard reached no. 5 in the WTA table, her highest placing to date.
