PARIS – Eugenie Bouchard could downplay expectations.
Francisco Rodriguez Jersey . Nobody would blame her. Shes only 20-years-old after all and playing in just her second
French Open. But when asked what would need to happen to make her campaign at
Roland Garros this season a success, Canadas rising star doesnt hold back. "To
win it," Bouchard said, her own boldness yielding a laugh. But, make no mistake,
she is dead serious. "I always expect high things of myself and Ive been working
so hard for so many years that nothing is a real surprise to me and I have big
ambitions in tennis. I want to achieve great things." Bouchard certainly isnt
lacking confidence. She showed that during a magical run to the Australian Open
semifinals in January. But Bouchard has a specific reason to have a hop in her
step these days. On Saturday, she beat Karolina Pliskova in the championship
match of the Nuremberg Cup, earning her first career WTA title. "Just so happy,"
said Bouchard describing the emotions in the moments after match point. "To go
to a city and leave and not lose a match and win all the matches is something
special." Bouchard almost didnt play in the tournament. Most top players will
not travel to an event in the week before a grand slam choosing instead to rest,
practice and arrive at the venue early. But after disappointing first-round
straight-set losses at tune-up events in Madrid (v No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska)
and Rome (v No. 61 Francesca Schiavone) Bouchard was convinced that playing more
was the best way to prep for the seasons second major. "We were debating whether
to even come to Nuremberg and I said, You know what? I want to play matches. I
want to keep trying and keep working. We got here early and practiced. It was
pretty cold early in the week, it was tough practices, tough conditions, but I
kept working hard and Im proud of myself for that. When you work hard good
things happen. I think thats what happened this week." That Bouchards first
career championship came on clay is a bit of a surprise. It is not her favourite
surface. "My game is pretty aggressive, so I like to step in and control the
point and the clay just slows it up a little bit, but its a good thing. It
teaches me patience ... sometimes Im not so patient. "It adds different
dimensions to your game and if I can perform well on clay it will show myself
that I can have a well-rounded game." Last year Bouchards run at the French Open
ended in the second round at the hands of eventual finalist Maria Sharapova. It
was a tough loss (6-2, 6-4), but one that made the Montreal native stronger. "I
think it helps for sure. I got to play on centre court, experienced a rain
delay, my match was over two days and its all part of the experience. I always
enjoy the chance to play one of the great players and I always learn so much.
Ive learned from that match." Bouchard wont have to deal with Sharapova or any
other top name early in the tournament this time around. Thats one of the perks
of being the 18th seed. Bouchard will open against 86th ranked Israeli Shahar
Peer, who has lost all three matches to the Canadian in her career including one
in March (6-2, 6-2 in Acapulco). Waiting in the second round should Bouchard
advance will be either German Julia Goerges or Portugals Michelle Larcher De
Brito. Both are outside the top 100 in the latest rankings. The third round is
when things may get tougher as No. 12 Flavia Pennetta would be a formidable
roadblock, but far from unbeatable. But first things first: Bouchard needs to
get settled in France. One negative repercussion from playing in the week before
a slam is that it makes for a tight turnaround. There was a 90-minute flight
from Nuremberg to Paris on Saturday night followed by a practice on Sunday.
Bouchards match against Peer is set for Monday. Although theres actually a
chance the short rest time may be a good thing. "I always like playing matches
so, for me, the more I can play the better. I can get in a rhythm of playing
competitive matches and I think it gives me extra confidence." Extra confidence?
Not a fun thought for those in Bouchards section of the draw.
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N.Y. - Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone says running back Fred Jackson is not
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progress the rest of this week.Marrone said Thursday hes not sure if Jackson
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Thursday. The 33-year-old is making his way back from a grroin injury he
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Mark Lowe Tigers Jersey. 19. Jackson has 239 yards and one touchdown on 55 carries this season.Rookie receiver Sammy Watkins
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instead.Buffalo (5-3) is home against Kansas City (5-3) on Sunday.
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