Bouchard battles past Bacsinszky

AFP, GSTAAD: Eugenie Bouchard quelled a home threat at the Gstaad WTA tournament on Tuesday, fighting back to beat Timea Bacsinszky 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 for a second-round place.

The 146th-ranked Canadian who played the Wimbledon final four years ago but has since suffered through season after season of disappointment and a tumbling ranking, spent more than two and three-quarter hours in overcoming two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Bacsinszky.

The Swiss who once stood ninth in the world, missed the entire clay and grass season after tearing her right calf muscle during a match warm-up in Rabat last spring.

She has played - and lost - only five matches this season - her ranking stands at 761.

Bouchard exited in the Wimbledon second round a fortnight ago, then switched to clay last week by entering a lower-level event, where she also lost her opening match.

Despite her clay victory, the 24-year-old is keeping any hopes of turning her career round on an extremely low simmer.

“All the conditions were against me," said the former member of the ranking Top 5.

“She is Swiss, playing at home as a former Top 10 player on her favourite surface.

“It was a battle. I can't compare this match to any previous (recent) ones.

“All I know is I had to battle.”

Bouchard lost the opening set in 44 minutes despite taking the early lead on a break and was severely tested in the second.

That set featured six breaks of serve, with Bouchard again losing an early break and eventually forced to play a tiebreaker.

 

Bouchard battles past Bacsinszky

AFP, GSTAAD: Eugenie Bouchard quelled a home threat at the Gstaad WTA tournament on Tuesday, fighting back to beat Timea Bacsinszky 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 for a second-round place. The 146th-ranked Canadian who played the Wimbledon final four years ago but has since suffered through season after season of disappointment and a tumbling ranking, spent more than two and three-quarter hours in overcoming two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Bacsinszky. The Swiss who once stood ninth in the world, missed the entire clay and grass season after tearing her right calf muscle during a match warm-up in Rabat last spring. She has played - and lost - only five matches this season - her ranking stands at 761. Bouchard exited in the Wimbledon second round a fortnight ago, then switched to clay last week by entering a lower-level event, where she also lost her opening match. Despite her clay victory, the 24-year-old is keeping any hopes of turning her career round on an extremely low simmer. All the conditions were against me, said the former member of the ranking Top 5. She is Swiss, playing at home as a former Top 10 player on her favourite surface. It was a battle. I cant compare this match to any previous (recent) ones. All I know is I had to battle. Bouchard lost the opening set in 44 minutes despite taking the early lead on a break and was severely tested in the second. That set featured six breaks of serve, with Bouchard again losing an early break and eventually forced to play a tiebreaker.