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How long before Bouchard wins a major?
21 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Eugenie Bouchard is the first female player in years who not only showed major potential but she’s thisclose to becoming the first new, next generation young woman to win a major title.
Laura Robson was ballyhooed but it hasn’t happened yet. Sloane Stephens looked spectacular beating Serena in Australia last year but she has stagnated since that win, some might even say she’s regressed.
The highly touted Russian juniors number ones from a couple of years ago Gavrilova and Khromacheva have struggled to make an impact on the WTA Tour.
Caroline Garcia, whom Andy Murray said would be number one someday, has progressed nicely this year but still seems a long way away.
Kristina Mladenovic has shown flashes but she’s been better in doubles where her movement is not as much a liability.
Simona Halep is a bit older at 22 but she’s on the verge.
Madison Keys and Christina McHale are have shown flashes but don’t seem to have the IT FACTOR to be the FACE of the Sport.
Camilla Giorgi has some very impressive wins but inconsistency and controversies off the court are going to be tough for her to overcome.
Bouchard looks like the one. The game is there, the power shots, the intensity, and the grace under pressure, she is a natural at handling all the media attention, she actually seems to enjoy it, which is a very important quality for a number one player.
Bouchard also has a super devoted fanbase who cheer her on all over the world and give her stuffed animal gifts. Genie’s Army could someday rival the Federer Army, You can be sure WTA rivals like Maria and Serena have taken note and are very impressed by, maybe even a bit envious, about how Genie’s Army support their girl.
I believe Bouchard will win a major very soon, likely even this year. If not this year then next year, for sure. Bouchard can’t miss. She will learn from this narrow loss today to Sharapova. She needs to upgrade her volleys, work on her second serve and touch shots, drop shots. The sky is the limit for Bouchard.
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21 comments
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Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 1:39 am
If she has a good summer i think she has a shot at a us open final. If not it is next year – she is playing huge. Only seen this in a player when they are on the verge of a slam trophy – ivanovic had it in 2008.
Hans Landa · June 6, 2014 at 9:29 am
she’s got it and definitely cute….heard she and dimi the prime rib had a thing in acapulco this year. very hush hush stuff and maria might have sniffed it hence her rampage in the 3rd set. 🙂
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 9:54 am
Hans what is your source on the bouchard dimitrov thing? I checked it out and nothing beyond a promo . That is a little slanderous if it isnt true.
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 10:03 am
Gulbis out in 4. Djokovic on a mission. Tough sport. Murray might win his match – has to outsmart nadal.
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Nadal djokovic. Djokos best shot at title. Id hope he strings nadal along and plays possom. Pull a bouchard
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2014 at 12:29 pm
I think we all knew it was going to be Djokovic vs. Nadal. And it will more than make up for the lack of excitement in SFs. It could be the most physically demanding final in tennis history, the way Rafa and Nole are going to brawl on Sunday. Roland Garros organizers have to find a way to fill those seats, make sure the ticketholders are there early. Reward them with a free hot dog or something. It makes tennis look bad with all those empty seats for stadium court semifinals.
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Open it.to the public! Wimbledon did for the rafter ivanisevic final – the peoplestournament!
Hans Landa · June 6, 2014 at 1:25 pm
i’d give 60%/40% – advantage to rafa. it could be lobsided steamroll by either warriors depending on the mood and conditions. or could be 21-19 thriller deep in the fifth. let’s hope of the latter. 🙂
loreley · June 6, 2014 at 1:37 pm
You guys didn’t watch Gulbis vs. Djokovic.
Djokovic struggled physically. He was happy that he could win the match in four set. Ernests was tight & probably tired as well after 10 matches in a row.
I predict a beatdown from Nadal, unless a miracle happens & Djoker can recover from whatever it is.
Gaurang · June 6, 2014 at 1:53 pm
I haven’t seen either semi-final but looks like Djokovic was tired from the heavy sun?
If Sunday is also hot then Djokovic could have some problems.
I feel that Nadal is playing his best tennis right now with his lopsided score lines over Andy Murray and David Ferrer. And even the earlier matches.
Nadal plays his best on RolandGarros clay. He also seems to really want to keep his crown there I think.
I would have to definitely pick him as a favorite for the match. I would put him with a 70% chance of winning.
But I hope Djokovic pushes through.
loreley · June 6, 2014 at 2:07 pm
The sun wasn’t heavy at all. Ernests laughed about that in press conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60YD3PZrM8Q
He is going back to Latvia. I wonder if he skips Queen’s. At one point it’s just too much tennis.
Hartt · June 6, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Regarding Bouchard, she has several things in her favour, including a strong competitive drive and the willingness to work hard to achieve her lofty goals. She is also very confident, saying she goes into every match thinking she can win. She is very composed on the court especially for a young, relatively inexperienced player.
Have been a fan since she defeated Ivanovic at last year’s Wimbledon. She learned at the last minute she would be playing on Centre Court but did not let the occasion overwhelm her. Just the year before that she won junior Wimbledon in singles and also in doubles (with Taylor Townsend).
She has played very well in Fed Cup, even when she did not have her “A” game.
However, even with two SF finishes in Slams this year, winning a major is a big step. If she wins one next year she would be doing extremely well. There are still so many excellent players to beat to win a Slam. But i think the future is very bright for her and that she will have multiple Slams before her career is done.
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 3:32 pm
My bet is on Djokovic. I don’t dispute Nadal’s overwhelming dominance but this isn’t last year.
Mitch · June 6, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Haven’t seen too much of the tournament, but get the feeling that regardless of how well Rafa is playing, if Djokovic gets off to a good start, Rafa will remember Rome and Miami and get nervous.
Dan Markowitz · June 6, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Thanks for the press conference clip, Lorely. I think Gulbis likes to see thing through his own prism. I didn’t see the match, but I can’t imagine he only hit five clean shots and the same for Djoko. It’s not easy playing Gulbis. He’s bombing in serves. You probably think if you can just give him a steady diet of forehands the match will be yours, so maybe that explains why the match didn’t have a good rhythm to it.
I can’t believe Murray after he almost beat Nadal in Rome, got slaughtered. What’s with Andy? He handled Monfils well, who would’ve played a better match than Murray did today.
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Remember, Gulbis has pushed Rafa to the limits twice, and he’s at his career best form right now. No shame in struggling vs. Gulbis. If Djokovic is fresh and fit Sunday, he’s gonna win.
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Rome aint Paris.
I still put my chips on Djokovic. That said I think this is just as much a statement match for Nadal – he wins Roland Garros (again, where he has 1 loss since 2005, one loss in nine years!!!) he’s back in the hunt for the GOAT status. Look at it this way: where’s Wawrinka? No where – and Nadal’s team knew this would happen. They knew that in the long run Nadal’s tried and true approach of super preparation would put him back in a final sunday. Nadal’s never been down for long, even if this season has raises questions about how much he wants it.
I see Djokovic in five. It could very well be Nadal in 3, 4 or 5.
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 8:23 pm
On Bouchard at Wimbledon – I think there are too many gamers at Wimbledon for Bouchard to have her turn this year – she has to take a number (sadly). Some of the WTA stars ONLY get up for Wimbledon – it’s the only tournament for them (we’re looking at you, Lisicki!). Ivanovic isn’t one of them usually at Wimbledon but others do find their game – Kvitova, Sharapova, Williams. I don’t think this is Bouchard’s year there but she may be the top seed in a future year, even a year from now.
Yeah what can I say. Bouchard reminds me of the great ones but I think she has to work on a few areas of her game to seal the slam deal. Even looking at Halep I think if Bouchard had made the show she would’ve beat Halep soundly.
Andrew Miller · June 9, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Add Halep to future slamma?
Bryan · June 9, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Bouchard’s first major could happen as soon as July. She’s the only Canadian to win the junior Wimbledon so while folks may think she’s best suited to hardcourt she’s good at grass. She’s by far the best of the young up and comers.
Andrew Miller · June 9, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Who knows on bouchard. Lots of players get up for Wimbledon so she has her work cut out for her. Opposite for ivanovic- dont recallher being comfortable on the grass . For halep i’d think grass wont work as well. But for bouchard sure why not. She likes the stuff and that makes it easier. But so many players covet Wimbledon- just has a different vibe . Example novotna lisicki etc they bring their a+++++ game.