Latest news with #Bouchard
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Swiatek cruises, Osaka battles; Bouchard bids adieu to tennis
Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek cruised, Naomi Osaka battled through and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard called time on her WTA career with a gutsy second-round loss in Montreal on Wednesday. Switzerland's Belinda Bencic sent Bouchard into retirement with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory -- but not before the Canadian thrilled her hometown fans by seizing an early break in the third set. Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday -- her first WTA win since 2023. Iga Swiatek plays a forehand against Hanyu Guo. AFP But Bencic won five of the last six games to vanquish Bouchard, who had announced earlier in July she would retire after a final appearance in her home tournament. 'I think it's so special to play my last match here in Montreal on this court in front of you guys,' a teary Bouchard said as she was honored on court after the match. 'I remember being a little kid sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day. Bouchard, who rose as high as fifth in the world rankings, shot to prominence in 2014 when she reached the Wimbledon final and made semi-final runs at the Australian and French Opens. But her career was hindered by injuries, including a concussion suffered in a locker room slip at the 2015 US Open and a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2021. Iga Swiatek greets fans after defeating Guo Hanyu during second round tennis at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal. AP There was no drama for Poland's Swiatek, who breezed past Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 in her first match since her crushing victory over Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final. Swiatek, seeded second, broke Guo's serve six times to book her spot in the third round. It was much harder going for Japan's four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who saved two match points in a 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) 6-3 triumph over Liudmila Samsonova. Naomi Osaka returns the ball to Ariana Arseneault in first round play at IGA Stadium. Osaka, now working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after announcing on Monday she had split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, surrendered early breaks in each of the first two sets. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Samsonova served for the match at 5-4 in the second and led 40-15. The Russian fired a forehand long on her first match point and on her second a lackluster drop shot effort gave Osaka an opening and the Japanese star pounced. Ariana Arseneault returns the ball to Naomi Osaka. Samsonova's double fault on break point allowed Osaka to level the set, and after storming back from 5-2 down in the tiebreaker to force a third set Osaka took control early, breaking Samsonova twice on the way to a 4-1 lead. Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion and third seed, saved five set points in the opening set on the way to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece. Australian Open champion Madison Keys, the sixth seed, opened her campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Laura Siegemund, avenging a third-round loss to the German at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, second-seeded Taylor Fritz struggled with three rain delays and a stubborn Spanish opponent on Wednesday, pulling out a tight 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) win over Roberto Carballes Baena at the ATP Toronto Masters. The second-round match was halted repeatedly by light rain, with the final 18-minute pause coming just as the second-set tiebreaker was about to start. But Fritz, winner of Stuttgart and Eastbourne titles this season, quickly sprinted to victory before heavier rains were expected to set in. The American was far from pleased with a win which was marred by 45 unforced errors and confessed that he has not yet felt on his game in Canada. 'Even in practice I'm having a hard time putting the ball into the court,' he said. 'But I'm happy to get through this one. 'Everything is not feeling great, it's tough to control the ball. 'Since I've been here it's been absolutely brutal. But I have another match to figure it out and hopefully I can play myself into the tournament.' Agencies
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eugenie Bouchard bids adieu to tennis with throwback performance at NBO
MONTREAL — Eugenie Bouchard didn't look like a player limping into retirement. You'd be forgiven for thinking she was still in her prime. On centre court in her hometown, Bouchard delivered a thrilling performance — and a heartfelt goodbye to tennis — with a hard-fought loss in her final match Wednesday night. 'I've always had a feeling I would end my career here,' said Bouchard. 'Montreal is where I was born and raised, so it just feels right. An emotional moment. I think I just wanted a moment like this because my career deserved a moment like this. 'I really think I got it tonight, and I'm so grateful for that.' The 31-year-old from Westmount, Que., bowed out 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the National Bank Open's second round against 17th seed Belinda Bencic, but battled courageously and electrified the crowd against a top-tier opponent — showing flashes of the assertive game that once powered her rise to world No. 5 in 2014. So is she sure about retiring? 'My sister said she started a petition with fans in the crowd, and everyone signed it, so now I have no choice but to rescind my retirement,' Bouchard said, smiling. 'But there's a lot of hard work that goes into tennis. It was great to be able to perform well, but it's such a tough life of sacrifice and hard work. 'I've given so much to tennis, and it's given me so much, but I do feel ready to move on from that and do other things in life, but I will forever be grateful for what tennis has given me.' Bouchard had extended her Montreal run with a throwback first-round upset Monday night against Emiliana Arango, her first WTA Tour victory since 2023. The local favourite turned back the clock again Wednesday by rallying from down a set, but Bencic held on to win the match in two hours 16 minutes. Montrealers packed the stands at IGA Stadium, chanted 'Let's Go Genie!' and grew louder throughout the warm summer night, standing up for several ovations. Bouchard returned the favour with an emotional, teary-eyed speech during an on-court ceremony. "It's so special to play my last match here in Montreal, on this court, in front of you guys," she said. "I remember being a little kid, sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day. "It feels like such a full-circle moment.' And her career almost continued a little longer. After a difficult first set, Bouchard bounced back to win the second and went up a break early in the third, winning a back-and-forth third game when Bencic's shot dipped into the net on the Canadian's fifth breakpoint opportunity. Bencic regrouped and broke back to tie at 3-3 as Bouchard sprayed shots wide and long. Trailing 5-4 and needing to hold serve, Bouchard fell in a 40-love hole and sent her backhand wide while defending the second match point, ending her bid at a massive upset. 'I knew I could win the match,' she said. 'It was really close from the second onward.' Instead, it marks the end of a roller-coaster career. Bouchard peaked during a banner 2014 season, winning her only WTA singles title, reaching the Australian Open and French Open semis and becoming the first Canadian to play in a Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon. But Bouchard's rapid rise at 20 years old also quickly came falling down after her 6-3, 6-0 loss to Petra Kvitova at the All England Club. Her highly anticipated homecoming one month later ended abruptly with a 6-0, 2-6, 6-0 loss against American qualifier Shelby Rogers at the then-called Rogers Cup. And the following year, Bouchard crashed out of the French Open and Wimbledon first rounds as losing streaks piled up. A run to the U.S. Open fourth round hinted at a return to form, until Bouchard suffered a concussion from slipping in the locker room — for which she later filed a lawsuit — forcing her to withdraw from the tournament. In recent years, Bouchard has sporadically played on the pro tennis circuit, spending more time on the PPA Pickleball Tour, where she ranks 12th in singles. She ramped up for her final event with the WTA 125 Hall of Fame Open in July — her first tournament since last year's NBO — and lost her opener in straight sets. As for what's next, Bouchard says she looks forward to sleeping in, going on a vacation and reflecting on what she wants to do with the rest of her life. 'I feel like I missed out because I didn't go to college and didn't go to school,' she said. 'Diving into the TV stuff more is definitely something I enjoy, so that's a probable next step. I mean, are any of you guys hiring (laughing)? I don't know how to even write — what do you even call it when you…' The word Bouchard was looking for? Resume. 'I don't even have one of those,' she said. 'Maybe my agent can come up with one for me. I'm not used to doing that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025. Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
Global News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Global News
Eugenie Bouchard bids adieu to tennis with throwback performance at NBO
Eugenie Bouchard didn't look like a player limping into retirement. You'd be forgiven for thinking she was still in her prime. On centre court in her hometown, Bouchard delivered a thrilling performance — and a heartfelt goodbye to tennis — with a hard-fought loss in her final match Wednesday night. 'I've always had a feeling I would end my career here,' said Bouchard. 'Montreal is where I was born and raised, so it just feels right. An emotional moment. I think I just wanted a moment like this because my career deserved a moment like this. 'I really think I got it tonight, and I'm so grateful for that.' Story continues below advertisement The 31-year-old from Westmount, Que., bowed out 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the National Bank Open's second round against 17th seed Belinda Bencic, but battled courageously and electrified the crowd against a top-tier opponent — showing flashes of the assertive game that once powered her rise to world No. 5 in 2014. So is she sure about retiring? 'My sister said she started a petition with fans in the crowd, and everyone signed it, so now I have no choice but to rescind my retirement,' Bouchard said, smiling. 'But there's a lot of hard work that goes into tennis. It was great to be able to perform well, but it's such a tough life of sacrifice and hard work. 'I've given so much to tennis, and it's given me so much, but I do feel ready to move on from that and do other things in life, but I will forever be grateful for what tennis has given me.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Bouchard had extended her Montreal run with a throwback first-round upset Monday night against Emiliana Arango, her first WTA Tour victory since 2023. The local favourite turned back the clock again Wednesday by rallying from down a set, but Bencic held on to win the match in two hours 16 minutes. Montrealers packed the stands at IGA Stadium, chanted 'Let's Go Genie!' and grew louder throughout the warm summer night, standing up for several ovations. Story continues below advertisement Bouchard returned the favour with an emotional, teary-eyed speech during an on-court ceremony. 'It's so special to play my last match here in Montreal, on this court, in front of you guys,' she said. 'I remember being a little kid, sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day. 'It feels like such a full-circle moment.' And her career almost continued a little longer. After a difficult first set, Bouchard bounced back to win the second and went up a break early in the third, winning a back-and-forth third game when Bencic's shot dipped into the net on the Canadian's fifth breakpoint opportunity. Bencic regrouped and broke back to tie at 3-3 as Bouchard sprayed shots wide and long. Trailing 5-4 and needing to hold serve, Bouchard fell in a 40-love hole and sent her backhand wide while defending the second match point, ending her bid at a massive upset. Story continues below advertisement 'I knew I could win the match,' she said. 'It was really close from the second onward.' Instead, it marks the end of a roller-coaster career. Bouchard peaked during a banner 2014 season, winning her only WTA singles title, reaching the Australian Open and French Open semis and becoming the first Canadian to play in a Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon. But Bouchard's rapid rise at 20 years old also quickly came falling down after her 6-3, 6-0 loss to Petra Kvitova at the All England Club. Her highly anticipated homecoming one month later ended abruptly with a 6-0, 2-6, 6-0 loss against American qualifier Shelby Rogers at the then-called Rogers Cup. And the following year, Bouchard crashed out of the French Open and Wimbledon first rounds as losing streaks piled up. A run to the U.S. Open fourth round hinted at a return to form, until Bouchard suffered a concussion from slipping in the locker room — for which she later filed a lawsuit — forcing her to withdraw from the tournament. In recent years, Bouchard has sporadically played on the pro tennis circuit, spending more time on the PPA Pickleball Tour, where she ranks 12th in singles. She ramped up for her final event with the WTA 125 Hall of Fame Open in July — her first tournament since last year's NBO — and lost her opener in straight sets. Story continues below advertisement As for what's next, Bouchard says she looks forward to sleeping in, going on a vacation and reflecting on what she wants to do with the rest of her life. 'I feel like I missed out because I didn't go to college and didn't go to school,' she said. 'Diving into the TV stuff more is definitely something I enjoy, so that's a probable next step. I mean, are any of you guys hiring (laughing)? I don't know how to even write — what do you even call it when you…' The word Bouchard was looking for? Resume. 'I don't even have one of those,' she said. 'Maybe my agent can come up with one for me. I'm not used to doing that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
Kuwait Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Swiatek cruises, Bouchard says goodbye in Montreal
MONTREAL: Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek cruised, Naomi Osaka battled through and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard called time on her WTA career with a gutsy second-round loss in Montreal on Wednesday. Switzerland's Belinda Bencic sent Bouchard into retirement with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory—but not before the Canadian thrilled her hometown fans by seizing an early break in the third set. Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday—her first WTA win since 2023. But Bencic won five of the last six games to vanquish Bouchard, who had announced earlier in July she would retire after a final appearance in her home tournament. 'I think it's so special to play my last match here in Montreal on this court in front of you guys,' a teary Bouchard said as she was honored on court after the match. 'I remember being a little kid sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day. 'I grew up playing on these courts, and courts all around Montreal and near here, so it feels like such a full circle moment to finish my career here.' Bouchard, who rose as high as fifth in the world rankings, shot to prominence in 2014 when she reached the Wimbledon final and made semi-final runs at the Australian and French Opens. But her career was hindered by injuries, including a concussion suffered in a locker room slip at the 2015 US Open and a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2021. Swiatek sails through There was no drama for Poland's Swiatek, who breezed past Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 in her first match since her crushing victory over Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final. Swiatek, seeded second, broke Guo's serve six times to book her spot in the third round. It was much harder going for Japan's four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who saved two match points in a 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) 6-3 triumph over Liudmila Samsonova. Osaka, now working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after announcing on Monday she had split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, surrendered early breaks in each of the first two sets. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Samsonova served for the match at 5-4 in the second and led 40-15. The Russian fired a forehand long on her first match point and on her second a lackluster drop shot effort gave Osaka an opening and the Japanese star pounced. Samsonova's double fault on break point allowed Osaka to level the set, and after storming back from 5-2 down in the tiebreaker to force a third set Osaka took control early, breaking Samsonova twice on the way to a 4-1 lead. 'She definitely came out really hard and, for me, I was definitely overwhelmed and I didn't know if I should also be hitting winners,' Osaka said. 'After a while I just tried to keep the ball in court.' Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion and third seed, saved five set points in the opening set on the way to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece. Australian Open champion Madison Keys, the sixth seed, opened her campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Laura Siegemund, avenging a third-round loss to the German at Wimbledon. — AFP
Edmonton Journal
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
'It's just weird': Oilers GM defends star Edmonton d-man on new mega contract
Article content 2. As Bowman points out, the main thing Oilers fans and pundits complain about when it comes to Bouchard is his turnover. Bowman suggest we should all way that against the good things that Bouchard does during a game, such as launch blistering shots on net, making great stretch passes to launch dangerous attacks, and defend well positionally. Article content That makes sense for me. Article content 3. One way to look at Bouchard's puck management is to look at the number of stretch passes he makes that lead to Grade A shots, then compare that to the number of turnovers he makes that lead to Grade A shots against. Stretch passes are a wicked attacking weapon in hockey. They're not easy to execute. Article content What we see is that the last two years in the playoffs, Bouchard has been Edmonton's best d-man at ripping stretch passes. In 2025 he made 1.75 stretch passes for a Grade A shot for every turnover he made leading to a Grade A shot against at even strength. The team average was 0.81 stretch passes for every turnover, so he was more than twice as good as the average Oilers d-man. Article content Article content Bouchard was also strong in this same category in the 2023-24 regular season, with 40 stretch passes leading to Grade A shots and just 33 turnovers leading to Grade A shots against. Article content But this past regular season was a different story. Bouchard made 23 stretch passes but 35 turnovers. Little wonder that some folks noticed this negative ratio of 0.69 stretch passes for every turnover and felt he wasn't play that well. At times he wasn't. Article content Article content 3. Another way to rate and rank d-men is to look at their total contributions to Grade A shots (shots, passes, hard charges at the net and battles won) compared to their total mistakes on Grade A shots against at even strength (lost battles, turnovers, bad pinches, missed assignments, bad line changes, bad deflections). Article content 4. In this category, Bouchard has been the Oiler's best d-man for the past two years. He was dominant in particular in 2023-24. He slipped a bit last year, but was still the team's best d-man, just ahead of Jake Walman, Darnell Nurse and Mattias Ekholm. In the playoffs, Bouchard again shot up and was by far the Oil's best d-man the past two seasons. Article content Article content 5. When you take in all these factors, I'll suggest that Bowman has a point, that is a bit weird that there's so much criticism of Bouchard, especially when we consider his superlative play in the playoffs, where he's been an absolute stone-cold killer on the attack and solid on defence for two years running. Article content Bouchard comes through for the Oilers when they need him most, and when so many other players on the Oilers fail to rise to the occasion. Article content He's the kind of player who can drive a team to Stanley Cup wins and to Olympic gold medals. Article content Article content
