Eugenie Bouchard finished strong after a crucial first set that led her into the third round of the Australian Open. With another win in straight sets, the popular Canadian singles star took the victory over Shuai Peng winning 7-6(5), 6-2 at Hisense Arena on the grounds of Melbourne Park Wednesday. It was the 12th career win for Bouchard at the year’s first major and one that proved her skills are in good shape.
It’s been almost three years since the two met in play with the Canadian holding that history over the world number 83. Bouchard had Peng figured out at Indian Wells getting a 6-2, 6-2 win in the second round. They both find themselves in a similar situation with the Canadian dealing well in her opening round shutting out Chirico in a set. Peng blanked her opponent but nearly had a scare in the second set where she managed to hold on in a tiebreaker. Both Bouchard and Peng going into the second round with actions that could send one or both into a tight race to the finish.
Bouchard made her mark early getting the triple break on Peng before completing a love service in the second. Peng wanted to get herself on the board working hard in the game to get it. She and the Canadian fought on deuce before a second break allowed Peng to go on and win in it. The race was tight as the set went onward with Bouchard keeping the lead to her end by any means.
The Chinese star didn’t make that was getting winners on the rallies that led to a full break and a four all tie. It was the eighth consecutive point won by Peng leaving Bouchard all alone to deal with her problems. The vulnerability of the Canadian led her to regroup and get back on pace. It settled into a 5-5 draw that had both players vying for control.
Peng was the first to break ahead putting Bouchard on the hot seat to stay alive. She put her skills to full potential winning the 12th game by two game points on a smash to end the rally. A tiebreaker was quickly implemented that turned into a stalemate. Both remained leveled getting to a 4-4 tie until the 22 year old Canadian edged away. She gained two important points trying to keep the momentum.
In capture of the seventh point, Bouchard got into a thrilling rally where it ended in volley shots that came to a close with the Canadian aiming a smash to win the set in 55 minutes. Aside from the control of the match, the two played near dead even on the numbers meaning that the second could potentially be the same pace as the first. “I think I finally stepped a little more in the tiebreak trying to control the points because as soon as she was controlling I had no chance.”
Both started with holds of serve through the first two games giving the notion that offense was alive and well in the second set. Bouchard kept her end well dropping a love service in the third on Peng in hopes of spoiling the Chinese’s service in the fourth. That was exactly what occurred getting the break followed by another hold to lead 4-1. A second straight break gave the Canadian so much room out front that her opponent couldn’t find the ways to come back.
The wind was completely out of the sails of Peng giving Bouchard three match points. Peng went out swinging stealing two match points back allowing Bouchard one last chance. Another rally ended with Peng gaining her third win forcing deuce. Giving it everything she had, the Chinese star got the rallies to go her way and win her first break of the set.
Knowing that she couldn’t let it get away from her, Bouchard made work with the break point chance and closed out the match in 1 hour and 29 minutes. “in the first set I wasn’t playing that great and I was a little bit nervous and she’s playing great tennis right now,” Bouchard said to Sam Smith after the match. “I just tried to stay with her and luckily was able to play better in the second and overall feeling better with each passing day.”
She’ll receive and easy day off with some training before facing the winner between Pauline Parmentier of France and American Coco Vandeweghe on Friday.
No comments:
Post a Comment