
Eugenie Bouchard made sure to make her last match a big fight as the 2014 Wimbledon finalist nearly pulled off a big upset before No. 17 seed Belinda Bencic escaped with a 6-2 3-6 6-4 win in the Montreal second round.
The 31-year-old Canadian, who entered the Canadian Open as a wildcard and without a ranking, upset Emiliana Arango in the first round for her first WTA main-draw win since 2023.
Against Bencic, Bouchard entered as the big underdog and she easily lost the first set after dropping her serve twice. However, the retiring home favorite refused to quit, getting her first break in the eighth game of the second before serving out for a decider in the following game.
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After taking the second set, the former world No. 5 also went up by a break in the third set and opened a 3-1 lead. But then, Bencic put it in another gear - won five of the next six games - and sealed the win to set up a Montreal third-round match against Karolina Muchova.
Bouchard's career achievements
As you all know, Bouchard's biggest success came very early in her career - she reached back-to-back Grand Slam semifinals at the 2014 Australian Open and French Open before making the Wimbledon final that same year. In 2014, she also achieved a career-high ranking of No. 5 and won her first and lone WTA title in Nuremberg.
After sustaining that infamous injury during the 2015 US Open, Bouchard was never the same and never rediscovered her past form.
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Tennis has given me so much. I'm filled with so much gratitude for this sport and the people along the way. I want to thank my mom, dad, sisters, and brother for their sacrifices and support. It's only because of them that I'm standing here today. I want you to know when this crowd cheers for me, theyre cheering for you too. I wouldnt be here without you," the 31-year-old said after her last match in Montreal.