Bouchard beats Stephens in Olympic debut at Rio 2016
A night after enjoying her first Opening Ceremony, Genie Bouchard won her debut Olympic match on Saturday, beating Sloane Stephens in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Early break points in both sets provided the Canadian the advantage she needed to advance past her American opponent in Rio de Janeiro’s main Olympic Park at Barra da Tijuca.
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Genie Bouchard in action at Rio 2016 women’s Olympic tennis tournament first round on August 6, 2016.
To get there, Bouchard had to save a couple of break points herself in the opening game of her Olympic career. Up 1-0 in the opener, Bouchard then put Stephens to the test, winning the break on her second chance, then consolidating for 3-0 en route to a 6-3 first set win.
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Stephens struggled again in the start of the second set, soon dropping another service game to trail 2-1. Conversely, Bouchard was efficient, not allowing Stephens another look at break point since the third game of the first set.
The match ended on another break point won by Bouchard, who then – for roughly 10 minutes – graciously went around the stadium taking pictures with fans, who had lined up with mobile devices.
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The win puts Bouchard in the round of 32, where her opponent is likely to be German superstar Angelique Kerber, should the Australian Open champion make it past Mariana Duque of Colombia.
On Sunday, Bouchard will be in doubles play with her Canadian teammate Gaby Dabrowski.
