By Rory Carroll
July 30 – Canadian Eugenie Bouchard introduced the curtain down on her profession on Wednesday after the previous world quantity 5 misplaced 6-2 3-6 6-4 to Belinda Bencic within the second spherical of the Canadian Open in Montreal.
The 31-year-old, who introduced earlier this month that the match in her hometown could be her final, appeared overmatched towards seventeenth seed Bencic within the first set however rallied within the second, breaking with a blistering forehand to take a 5-3 lead earlier than happening to stage the match.
Bouchard then seized a 3-1 lead within the decider however Bencic clawed her approach again and sealed victory when the Canadian’s backhand drifted extensive.
“It is so particular to play my final match right here in Montreal, on this court docket and in entrance of you guys,” Bouchard mentioned at an emotional retirement ceremony.
“I keep in mind being a bit child, sitting in these stands hoping and dreaming that I’d play on this court docket in the future, so it appears like a full circle second to complete my profession right here.”
Bouchard’s finest yr was 2014 when she reached the semi-finals of the French and Australian Opens, and the ultimate of Wimbledon.
She performs on the Skilled Pickleball Affiliation Tour, which she joined forward of the 2024 season.
In different Montreal matches, two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula, Australian Open winner Madison Keys and Briton Emma Raducanu all superior to the third spherical with straight units wins on Wednesday.
Within the males’s match, which is being performed in Toronto, Ben Shelton beat Adrian Mannarino of France 6-2 6-3 and the fourth seed will subsequent face fellow American Brandon Nakashima within the third spherical.
American Frances Tiafoe battled again to defeat Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 1-6 7-5 7-6 and can subsequent face Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic.
Former world quantity three Stefanos Tsitsipas continues to wrestle on tour, the Greek falling to Australian Christopher O’Connell 6-4 4-6 6-2.
Tsitsipas, who has fallen to thirtieth on the earth, mentioned final week he had cut up with coach Goran Ivanisevic.
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