Streaky Bouchard Earns U.S. Open Win Over Cibulkova
In three sets on Friday, Canadian Eugenie Bouchard got by Dominika Cibulkova 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-3 to reach the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open.
“It was just such a battle,” said Bouchard of her match with Cibulkova. “I knew going in that she was going to be like that. She really put a lot of pressure on me actually. She was really going for her shots and swinging.”
Bouchard isn't just through to the second week of a major for the first time since the Aussie Open, but the first time she has won three consecutive matches since then.
“A lot of times I couldn't dominate the way I wanted to,” said Bouchard. “I just stayed in there. In the third, I tried to stay calm. I told myself that I don't have energy to spare on being negative, so I needed to save all my energy. I just tried to stay calm and that helped me out in the third.”
Awaiting Bouchard in the Round of 16 is two-time U.S. Open quarterfinalist Roberta Vinci of Italy, who outdid Mariana Duque-Mariño 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. Bouchard lost her only career match against Vinci, just last week in New Haven at the Connecticut Open.
"Patience would be the first word that comes to mind,” said Bouchard of her impending meeting with Vinci. “I learned a lot of things, maybe not necessarily relating to her, in that match at the Connecticut Open. I think that match was beyond tennis as well, in a sense. I'm just going to go out there and make it about the tennis. I want to try to be patient, be ready for 200 slices, and just try to go for it.”
