Eugenie Bouchard took the court against Polona Hercog in her second round match at the US Open. The Canadian was looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time since Indian Wells. It was a battle for her, but she managed to gut it out for a 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 win and a spot in the third round in a major, something she's only done one other time this year (Australian Open).
Slow start for Bouchard but takes opening set
After a couple of holds to start the match, Hercog broke in the third game after some dreadful errors and shanks from the former Wimbledon finalist. The Slovenian consolidated at 30 to get up 3-1, but Bouchard leveled it at 3-all on her third break chance of the game.
Bouchard rode that wave from that break back to get yet another break on Hercog to move within a game of the set. She served out the set with no problem to take the set 6-3.
The Canadian fails to serve out match, falls in breaker
The Slovenian opened up the second set serving and would hold as Bouchard sent a forehand long. Hercog was using her slice backhand to attack the Canadian and earned break chances in the next game but could not convert. Her persistence would pay off in the end as she broke in the following game thanks to some wild errors from the Canadian.
Hercog caps off long forehand-to-forehand rally with cross-court winner. Yet another one to save the third BP chance. Fourth time’s the charm for Bouchard. Hold at love consolidates break for 3-3. Two break chances after Hercog dumps forehand into net. Another forehand into net as goes up a set and a break. Swinging volley netted giving Hercog opening at 0-30. Ace to save first BP. Overhead to save second. Hercog breaks back.
In the sixth game, Hercog saved a couple of break points with some blistering forehand winners from well behind the baseline. However, it was fourth time's the charm as she broke then consolidated for 3-all. She would take a third straight game to go up a set and a break as Hercog's forehand found the net. Despite the break though, Hercog would break right back in the start of a break fest in the latter end of the set.
Long rally to start ninth game, puts volley away. Third straight break between the two as Bouchard breaks to serve for match. Three break chances for Hercog after passing shot and errors from Genie. Fourth straight break. Hercog consolidates for 6-5. Bouchard falls behind but holds for breaker. Hercog with mini-break at 2-1. Genie double faults to give a second mini-break down 1-5 in breaker. Down 6-1, handful of set points. First saved on winner. Ace to take third.
Hercog opened up the tiebreak quickly by getting a mini-break to lead 2-1 on Bouchard. The Canadian double faulted to hand Hercog a massive 5-1 lead in the breaker. She would close out the set with an ace on her second set point to force a decide.
Bouchard takes it in three
After a disappointing tiebreak, Bouchard came out flying in the third set. She would reel off four straight games as it looked all but over for the Slovenian. Hercog would battle back though as Bouchard, who was clearly frustrated, gave one of the break backs though by hitting a couple of long forehands.
Hercog would consolidate to move within a break of Bouchard from getting the match back on terms. However, the Canadian would let out a big scream to celebrate a tight hold for 5-2. The Slovenian would make it 5-3 as Bouchard had the opportunity to serve out for the match once again.
The 25 seed had Hercog running all over to start the ninth game. She earned a match point as she lost her visor on one of the points which could have been called as a let by the chair umpire but was not called. Hercog would save one of two match points with a huge cross-court winner then saved the other one as the Canadian would send a slice backhand wide for deuce.
After a couple of nice shots at net, Bouchard set up match points again. The Canadian held her nerve as Hercog sent one long as she took the match. Finally, Bouchard won a three-setter this year and showed that despite faltering the first time, she held her nerve to close out the match. She'll face Dominika Cibulkova in the third round.