Eugenie Bouchard falls in Australian Open semi
Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard couldn’t get past China’s Li Na on Thursday afternoon in Australia, losing 6-2, 6-4.
It was the 19-year-old’s first trip to a Grand Slam semi-final and the first for a Canadian woman since 1984.
The native of Westmount, a place in Montreal known for tennis, built on a dream year in 2013. Last season she launched herself to no. 32 in WTA rankings, beat four top-15 opponents and made her first WTA final.
Her Australian Open began in a seeded position, allowing her smoother initial rounds. Then came a clash with Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in the quarters. Bouchard played steadily, and then convincingly better in the third set, triumphing 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
Despite the loss today, Bouchard stands to yet again move up in the WTA rankings, reportedly as high as top-20.
According to Tennis Canada, Bouchard will now head to Montreal for Canada’s World Group II first round tie against Serbia, February 8 and 9.
