Bouchard fights back to set up Sharapova showdown in semis
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EUGENIE Bouchard became the first Canadian woman to reach the French Open semifinals yesterday with a thrilling 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 7-5 win over Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro.
It is only the third time that a Canadian has made the women’s semifinals at the four majors after Carling Bassett reached the US Open semifinals in 1984 and Bouchard herself went to the last-four at this year’s Australian Open.
Bouchard, who trailed badly in all three sets, has a chance to go one better now and will face Russia’s 2012 French champion Maria Sharapova for a place in Saturday’s final. Sharapova defeated Suarez Navarro’s doubles partner Garbine Muguruza 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 to reach her fourth straight French Open semifinal.
“I am just so happy right now, thanks to everyone, this is just completely unbelievable,” Bouchard said.
“I’m so happy to spend a few more days in Paris and look forward to the semifinal. It feels a bit like home here.”
Bouchard showed experience well beyond her 20 years as she came back from 2-5 down in the first set to draw level at 5-5 after saving a set point.
Suarez Navarro carried a 2014 record of 9 and 1 in tie-breaks into the decisive game but the Canadian carved out a 4-1 lead before converting her first set point to take the all important opening frame 7-6 (7/4) in one hour.
The Montreal resident broke immediately to start the second set as Suarez Navarro wobbled under the deep ground strokes Bouchard was burying in the corners. However the Barcelona-based player again forged ahead 5-2 in the second set and this time Bouchard was unable to fight back with the Spaniard converting her second set point to take it 6-2 and force a decider.
Suarez Navarro again began the stronger to start the third as the nerves and the occasion got to both players. However, Bouchard again charged back from 4-1 down to level the match and then creep 5-4 in front.
The Spaniard held a tense service game but Bouchard went back ahead 6-5 as victory came within her grasp. She double faulted on her first match point but converted her third chance before sinking to her knees in celebration.
Earlier, Maria Sharapova was given an almighty fright by the 20-year-old Muguruza who had knocked out Serena Williams in the second round. Muguruza was a set and 5-4 ahead in the second set before Sharapova dug deep to win the game.
In the men’s action, Novak Djokovic stayed on course to win his first French Open title after taming big serving Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to reach the semifinals. The Serb world No. 2 is only missing the Roland Garros trophy to complete his grand slam set.
Ernests Gulbis followed up his shock French Open defeat of Roger Federer with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over sixth seed Tomas Berdych to reach his first grand slam semifinal.
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