Bouchard back to lead Canada at Fed Cup

MONTREAL — Canada is delighted to have Eugenie Bouchard back with its Federation Cup squad even if the 2014 Wimbledon finalist has hit a rough patch in her career.

Bouchard, whose WTA ranking has tumbled to No. 117, is to play this week when Canada faces Ukraine in a World Group II playoff — a must-win series to avoid being relegated to the American Zone next year.

Ukraine’s top player, fourthranked Elina Svitolina, is not expected to play in the best-of-five indoor series Saturday and Sunday at IGA Stadium.

“It’s big because we need all our top players,” Tennis Canada senior vice-president Eugene Lapierre said Monday. “On paper, even if Svitolina would not be playing, I don’t think we’re favoured to beat Ukraine, so it’s important that [Bouchard] is there and I think it’s important for her, too, to start somewhere.

“To win some matches. And I think it’s the right time.”

The 24-year-old Bouchard was riding high in 2014 when she reached at least the semifinals of three grand slam tournaments, rising to a career-high fifth in world rankings. She also helped Canada reach the top level of the Fed Cup, World Group I, by winning both singles matches against the Czech Republic.

But the Westmount, Que. native hasn’t played in Fed Cup since 2015 against Romania as she struggled with her game. In January, Bouchard dropped out of the top-100 for the first time since April, 2013.

“She’s always had a very good attitude with the national team,” said Lapierre. “She’s the leader of that team. When she comes, the girls love her.”

Bouchard remains Canada’s top-ranked woman. Her teammates this week include Francoise Abanda of Montreal (127th), Bianca Andreescu of Thornhill, Ont. (197th) and Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa, who is ranked 10th in doubles.

Despite missing Svitolina, Ukraine still has quality players in Leisa Tsurenko (No. 41) and veteran Kateryna Bondarenko (78th). The Ukrainian team is to be announced Wednesday.