By Chris Oddo | Thursday, January 15, 2016
Once again Eugenie Bouchard finds herself rounding into form and about to encounter a familiar face in a big match. Last year at the U.S. Open, Bouchard played what she called her best match of the year against Dominika Cibulkova.
"When I watch the replay, I'll have a heart attack watching those set points," Bouchard joked after that match, a three-set victory that was emotional and full of spirited tennis from both. "I don't know what happened. She's such a tough competitor. She's there fighting for every point. I'm so proud of myself, how hard I fought. It's huge. I love the US Open."
A day later the unthinkable would happen, as Bouchard suffered a concussion due to a freak fall in the locker room. She would withdraw from the tournament and never made it back to form in 2015--many wondered if she’d ever pick up the pieces and get back to elite form.
But in 2016, Bouchard has picked up quite a few pieces in winning five of her first six matches. On Thursday she cruised past hard-hitting Camila Giorgi of Italy, 6-3, 6-2, to set up a clash with Cibulkova on Friday. It’s one that Bouchard relishes.
“It was my best match of last year,” says Bouchard. “So I’m looking forward to a great match and a great fight.”
Cibulkova took care of Kiki Bertens, 6-3, 7-5, to reach the semis. In other action at Hobart, Johanna Larsson took out defending champ Heather Watson to reach the semis, while Alize Cornet advanced on a walkover as Mona Barthel was forced to pull out due to injury.