Eugenie Bouchard continues showing her good form at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia after defeating the second seed, Angelique Kerber 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 in two hours and 23 minutes. The Canadian cruised through the first set and was 3-0 up in the second before Kerber came back from two breaks down to take the second set away from her. A very tense third set was played, where Kerber started the right way, but Bouchard was able to keep it cool at the crucial moments and was able to get her pass to the third round.

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in action against Angelique Kerber of Germany. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Lewis

Bouchard Surprises and Takes the First Set in Just 28 minutes

After a successful win in her first round match, Bouchard proved she had confidence in her game and showed she was not afraid to take risks and come to the net even from the first point. Both players held their opening service game, but it was Kerber who had the first chance to get an early lead, but she blew them after hitting three unforced errors. It was a mistake Bouchard didn’t take for granted and went on to break the German to get an early lead at 3-1.

The Canadian took this break as a reassurance of the confidence she was building up against the number two seed and it showed when she held to love. On the other side of the court, Kerber’s decreased confidence manifested with unforced errors and a double fault on break point. Now it was up for Bouchard to hold and serve out the first set. And so she did. After hitting a backhand down the line, she grabbed the first set 6-1 in only 28 minutes.

Angelique Kerber of Germany in action against Eugenie Bouchard of Canada. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Lewis

Kerber Comes Back and Forces a Decider

The momentum continued for Bouchard. who wasted no time to get the early break in the opening set of the second set. The Canadian then proceed to get a solid hold to love and break Kerber again to lead 3-0. The German got one of the breaks back after Bouchard hit a forehand into the net. This break seemed to reassure the confidence of the second seed as she went on to hold her service game. Bouchard didn’t lose her focus as she still was up a break, but Kerber only continued to get better and better, while the Canadian seemed like a version of the German in the first set, making mistakes that would eventually cost her.

Kerber had a tough service game but managed to hold to keep the pressure on Bouchard. The pressure eventually caught the Canadian who committed four unforced errors to hand the break and let the advantage of two breaks up slip away. At 4-4, Kerber was unstoppable, she had come back from being a double break down and was now serving to be up on the scoreboard for the first time. The current Australian Open champion showed her nerves of steel and held to lead 5-4.

Still regretting the mistakes that cost her the lead, Bouchard managed to get a hold to love and even got two break points in the following game. However, Kerber stayed focused and was able to save both of them. The last break came at an unfortunate time for the Canadian who saved one set point, but after a long rally, there was nothing she could do against the smash that forced the match into a decider.

Bouchard Breaks at the Best Time

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in action against Angelique Kerber of Germany. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Lewis

An energetic Kerber started the final set by holding her serve, but a disappointed Bouchard seemed like she still couldn’t forget the wasted opportunities from the second set. Kerber kept the Canadian running all over the court, but all her efforts were not enough and the German broke to lead 2-0. The lead for the second seed didn’t last long though as Bouchard went on to break Kerber right away. Now both players standing at 2-2, they began to play the best tennis in the entire match. The following games featured long rallies and no break points.

They exchanged straightforward holds until 5-5 when Bouchard got a crucial break point. Kerber tried to defend her serve with all she could, making Bouchard run but the German sent a backhand long to gift Bouchard the break. The Canadian had the match on her racquet. Bouchard began her service game being 0-30 down, but she didn’t give up and instead of letting the match slip away like the second set, she began playing like in the first set. The German saved one match point, but a very decisive Bouchard wasn’t going to surrender and a backhand unforced error from Kerber gave the match to Bouchard, who won after two hours and 23 minutes by a scoreline of 6-1, 5-7, 7-5. A powerful grunt from Eugenie Bouchard confirmed the meaning of this match for the young player.

Next for Bouchard: Barbora Strycova

On the next round, Eugenie Bouchard will face Czech Republic’s, Barbora Strycova in what will be their fifth meeting. Their last meeting was last year in Madrid, where Strycova triumphed against the Canadian in three sets.

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About the author
Liliana Martinez
Sports Journalist from Mexico City