Eugenie magic loses its lustre
IF you’re a betting person, don’t bother putting your money on Eugenie Bouchard at the Australian Open.
The Canadian’s poor start to the summer continued yesterday with a 6-1 6-3 loss to German Angelique Kerber at the Hopman Cup.
Bouchard entered the match with a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Kerber, but the former world No.5 had no answers to the dual grand slam winner in a match that lasted just 57 minutes.
World No.4 Alexander Zverev secured the tie win for Germany with a 6-4 6-2 win over Canadian Vasek Pospisil in 79 minutes.
And Germany made it a 3-0 clean sweep with a 4-3 (5-2) 4-3 (5-2) win in the fast4 mixed doubles.
Germany can guarantee a spot in Saturday’s final if it beats Australia Friday night.
Canada’s title hopes are over after losing its opening two ties. Bouchard was thumped 6-1 6-4 in her opening singles loss to Australian Daria Gavrilova. And she was no match for former world No.1 Kerber.
Now ranked 83rd in the world following a lean few years, Bouchard isn’t expecting much in the early part of 2018.
“I barely played any matches the last six months of the past year. It’s been a long time without a lot of matches,” Bouchard said.
“I changed my team in the off-season and I have been working on a lot of different things. It’s definitely a longterm look.
“I’m not really putting expectations on myself for the beginning of this year.”
Bouchard said the 10am start was too early and her lack of energy showed in an opening set that lasted 22 minutes.
Zverev said it would mean a lot if he and Kerber could guide Germany to the nation’s third Hopman Cup title.
“Winning any title for your country is special, especially with Angie,” Zverev said.
Kerber was happy with her start to the Hopman Cup, which also included a win over Belgium’s Elise Mertens.