By Erik Gudris | Sunday. June 1, 2014

 

Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard continued her recent clay court win streak by reaching the French Open quarterfinals.

Photo Credit: AP

She may not prefer clay courts, but Canada's Eugenie Bouchard is proving herself to be a force on them at this year's French Open.

Bouchard extended her recent nine-match win streak with a comprehensive victory in the fourth round over No. 8 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany. At stake, a spot in the elite eight at the second Grand Slam of the year.

Taking control early, Bouchard raced out to a 5-0 lead in 16 minutes. From there, Bouchard soon clinched the opening set 6-1. Kerber found few chances to achieve any momentum on her own.

Bouchard wrapped up the 6-1, 6-2 win to reach her second Grand Slam quarterfinal of the season.

"I believe I can play with the best girls out there," Bouchard said later about beating Kerber. "She's top 10, so I respect her. She can play some really good tennis. I was really mentally prepared for anything, for a battle. I think that mindset kind of helped me, you know, made me realize whatever happens I can deal with it on the court."

When asked if being on the tennis tour allows time for friendships, Bouchard says she keeps the focus on herself and her game.

"Best friend on tour, I don't have one. I don't think the tennis tour is the place to have friends. For me it's all competition. And, you know, I think it's important to, you know, just remember that we're going to play against each other in matches. It's not like we're teammates. To me, it's kind of more competitive."

Next up competition-wise for Bouchard will be another player with good results on clay in Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.

Croatia's Ajla Tomljanovic, who ousted No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska earlier, found herself up against it when taking on No. 14 seed Suarez Navarro in their found round meeting.

25 unforced errors from Tomljanovic didn't help her cause as she found herself unable to deal with the steady backcourt play from the Spaniard. After 73 minutes, Suarez Navarro celebrated the 6-3, 6-3 win that sends her into the French Open quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.

Suarez Navarro talked about what has changed for her since reaching the elite eight six years ago.

"Well, on the personal level, what has changed between 2008 and 2014 is experience. I have acquired more experience than at that time. And talking about tennis, of course I can still improve. I am more aggressive, more consistent, but there is more I can do. Compared with 2008, I'm definitely more aggressive," Suarez Navarro said. "Now, when you're 25, you're more mature than when you're 18 or 19. Nowadays, I am much more aware of what is taking place. I have learned to take everything at the right level, give everything its deserved importance. So I'm more mature than the Carla in 2008."