There are just three of the top 8 seeds left in the women’s draw. And yes, you can guess who.
Serena Williams – check.
Maria Sharapova – check.
Genie Bouchard –ok you may not know that one yet, but soon you will.
The 20 year-old Canadian blasted into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and even though the match was tough, Bouchard was up for the task.
“I was just frustrated in my level,” Bouchard said. “I expect so much more from myself. To just give away so many free points is really frustrating to me. So I was definitely disappointed with that. You know, I realized in the third I can still stay with her, I don’t have to go for crazy shots all the time. I think I was a bit too impatient basically in the second set.
“You know, even if I stayed with her once in a while, I can let her lose the point, I don’t always have to do an amazing winner. It’s like I wanted to go for it a little too much. It’s about finding the right balance because I definitely want to try to go for it a lot. Yeah, it’s about finding the right balance.”
She seems to have it. The crowd was behind the Montreal native who is enjoying life at the Open. With the song “Genie in the Bottle” playing when she took the court, the well-spoken Canadian of been happier.
“I don’t know who does that,” she said. “Whoever does that, I love you. It’s really cool. This is two matches in a row, before and after the match, they’re playing my song. Feel like they know me. I just feel so special.”
As does playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium, which she said did take some time to get used to.
“It’s a huge stadium, the biggest in the world, with amazing hard court tennis fans that really get into it,” Bouchard said. “It’s a different experience. It’s something you kind of have to get used to. For me, I try to block it out between points and stay focused on what I have to do, but still try to use the energy a little bit the right way. So it’s definitely kind of a learning experience. I’ve had two night matches in a row so I feel like I’m getting the hang of it a little.”
But she has time now, especially with a day off then Ekaterina Makarova coming up on Monday. And Bouchard is not taking any chances.
“I think I’ve played her once and I lost that match I think a couple years ago,” she said. “I know she plays really well. I think she’s played well this year. I think she had a good result at Wimbledon. It’s always tricky playing a lefty, so I’m going to get my 60-year-old coach to serve to me. Hopefully that will prepare me a little bit.
“But besides that, I’m going to try to do better. When I’m ahead, I’m going to keep going, keep pushing, really try to, you know, impose my game, but at the same time, you know, stay consistent. So I’m going to work on that in practice tomorrow. I just want to do better in my next match really.”
With that attitude, she will be a household name in no time.
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