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By Erik Gudris / Monday, January 20, 2014

 

19-year-old Eugenie Bouchard became the first Canadian woman to reach the Australian Open semifinals with a three set win over Ana Ivanovic.

Photo Credit: Corleve

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada fought back from losing the first set to secure her place into the final four of the Australian Open.

The 19-year-old Canadian contested her first ever major quarterfinal against No. 14 seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia who pulled off the upset of the tournament by knocking out top seed Serena Williams earlier. Though Ivanovic had more experience, she looked the edgier of the two women during the opening set. Perhaps due to the fact that with a win, Ivanovic would get back into the hunt for an elusive second major title.

Those jitters became more evident late in the first set when Ivanovic served for the set up 5-4. When a shot from Bouchard that Ivanovic thought was out (it proved to be so on unofficial review) was called in, the Serbian took her case to the umpire in a pleading tone. The umpire denied an overrule, but Ivanovic's palpable tension proved she wanted this win badly.

Bouchard eventually broke back for 5-all but could not maintain her momentum. Ivanovic soon reeled off eight of the last nine points to take the set 7-5.

While a straight sets win looked on the cards for Ivanovic, it was the Canadian who began to show more resolve. Despite not having as bold a game as her opponent, Bouchard made good use of her solid backhand and willingness to finish off points at net. Bouchard jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the second set only to watch as Ivanovic came back to get within a game. Ivanovic then called for a medical time out to deal with a right thigh strain.

Though Bouchard once again had trouble serving out an important game, this time for the set at 5-4, she eventually broke Ivanovic a few games later to take it 7-5.

With Ivanovic not looking as sharp, it was up to Bouchard to remain her composure in the final set. Ivanovic found herself in all kinds of trouble in her first service game, but managed to claw her way to a hold for 1-1. That would be the last stand in many ways for Ivanovic whose movement and timing became more an issue as the set continued.

Bouchard claimed her break of serve a few games later on the strength of 14 backhand winners. Up 4-1, the question became would Bouchard start showing any nerves as she found herself games away from a huge result. If she was feeling anything, it never showed even when Ivanovic tried to find a way to break one last time. A fine volley winner put Bouchard up 5-2.

On her first match point, Bouchard ripped a crosscourt forehand winner to seal the 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 win. Bouchard finally let the emotions show as she celebrated the win. A disappointed Ivanovic left the court to dwell that her chance to reach another major semi would have to wait.

"I tried to stay calm. I tried to for sure show I was calm. I did feel confident," Bouchard said later. "Having lost the first set and things like that, I just tried to focus on what I had to do during the point to try to win, really just try to keep pressing her and moving forward. That's what kept me really calm. I felt like, you know, my game kind of got a bit better as the match went on. I feel like in the first set I was close, but I was kind of missing shots just by a little bit, hitting the tape of the net, just a bit out. I felt like my game was there and I just needed to relax a little bit and play."

Bouchard is now the first Canadian woman to reach the semifinals in Melbourne. She will next face Li Na who earlier in the day.

 

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