PETE ZIEBRON
Genie Bouchard continues to rise in the WTA rankings Pete Ziebron Images
Canadian #1 Genie Bouchard defeated Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 6-1 7-6(2) in 78 minutes in first round action today at Roland Garros. The victory was the first win at a major tournament for Bouchard, who fell in the second round of qualifying at this year's Australian Open.
Nineteen year-old Genie Bouchard has rapidly risen in the WTA rankings since early April, as a quarterfinal result in Charleston elevated her into the top 100 for the first time in her career at world #95. Despite losing in the quarters to eventual finalist and former world #1 Jelena Jankovic, Bouchard entered the tournament as a qualifier and defeated world #42 Laura Robson of Great Britain in the round of 32 and 2011 US Open Champion and world #9 Sam Stosur in the round of 16.
Just last week in Strasbourg, Bouchard won 3 main draw matches before falling in the semifinals to eventual Champion Alize Cornet of France 5-7 7-6(7) 6-3. The march to the semis lifted Bouchard's ranking to world #77.
Last November at the $75K Goldwater Women's Tennis Classic in Phoenix, I had an opportunity to speak with Genie Bouchard, a doubles Finalist at the event. Just four months earlier, Bouchard won the Junior Wimbledon Championship. Nathalie Tauziat, a former Wimbledon Finalist, works with Bouchard on a part-time basis. Bouchard elaborated that having Tauziat in her corner helped in her efforts at Wimbledon "She's been there before as a Wimbledon Finalist, she's helped me: to come to the net, to be able to reinforce my game, to take it to opponents and to be able to hit like her."
When I asked about what mental aspects of the game that Tauziat helps her with, Bouchard specifically mentioned: not getting too emotional, to keep fighting, to stay positive, and to not to show anything to her opponent, as well as helping her to work on tactics and being able to better see the game of her opponent. Bouchard is also appreciative of the fact that the WTA allows on-court coaching on changeovers during the match.
Genie Bouchard did not hesitate when I asked her about her goals for 2013: "To get to the top 100 as soon as possible." At the time when we spoke in mid-November, Bouchard was ranked #144. She has nearly cut that number in half (currently #77) in a little over 6 months and will rise even higher with today's victory.
Genie Bouchard's fovorite shot on the court is her serve. So it should come as no surprise that her favorite player on the ATP tour is Roger Federer, whom she had the opportunity to meet at last year's Wimbledon Champion's Ball. Maria Sharapova's overall game is appreciated by Bouchard for: her fight, the way she takes it to her opponents and the manner in which she strikes the ball. Bouchard and Sharapova met earlier this year in Miami, with Sharapova winning 6-2 6-0 in a 2nd round match. Ironically, they will meet again in the 2nd round later this week. Sharapova is the defending Roland Garros Champion and completed the career Grand Slam in Paris last year.
When asked about her favorite music, Genie Bouchard mentioned Taylor Swift, then smiled as she also added the Jonas Brothers. Meanwhile, the destinations on the tennis tour that Bouchard looks forward to visiting are Italy, for the food and nice cities as well as Australia, since the people are calm and laid back.
With her success on clay in Charleston and Strasbourg, as well as her first win at a major at Roland Garros, Genie Bouchard may quickly add Paris to the list of her favorite places on tour.