With Eugenie Bouchard making headlines that she had hired Jimmy Connors in wake of the lead-up to the US Open as her mentor, it would be intriguing to see how the former Wimbledon finalist would fare in her opener. She took out American Alison Riske 6-4, 6-3.. The American was one of the players Genie has defeated in her losing streak and took her out in the opening round.
Bouchard overcomes late break to take set
to try The Canadian started off with a strong hold to start and was attacking the net early on with some strong aggressive groundstrokes. After a hold from the American, she’d break right back. The American would consolidate it for a 2-1 lead, but Bouchard continued to push for the break.
With her aggressive playstyle, Bouchard broke in the sixth game to level the score at three-all. After consolidating, for 4-3, the former Wimbledon finalist raced out to a 0-40 lead looking to break once again. It was third time’s the charm for her as a forehand winner down the line gave her the 5-3 lead and a chance to serve out for the set. However, a couple of errors did her in as Riske broke right back for 4-5 and had a chance to serve to stay in the set. It took three chances, but Bouchard closed out the set 6-4.
The Canadian takes the match
In the second game of the set after holding, Bouchard had a couple of break chances, but the American held. Riske began getting tight with her forehand as Bouchard held with an overhead. There was a bit of a worry when the Canadian was getting her foot looked at on the first changeover, but it looked like just a blister around the big toe.
Once again, Bouchard had break points on the Riske serve. After a couple of errors though, the American held again for 2-all. Bouchard would rue those missed opportunities. She would race out to a 40-0 lead before squandering her chance to hold as Riske broke. Despite the break, Riske would get broken right back for three-all.
The Canadian would have to save break points again to consolidate the break, but her persistence paid off in the eighth game as Riske double faulted to give Bouchard a chance to serve out the match. She only needed two chances to close out the match to take it 6-3, 6-4. Bouchard will face Polona Hercog next in a wide open section after Maria Sharapova withdrew plus the upsets of Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.