Eugenie Bouchard beats Maria Sharapova: Canadian wins frosty encounter in Spain
EUGENIE BOUCHARD beat controversial opponent Maria Sharapova in three sets to progress to the Madrid Open last-16.
Eugenie Bouchard beat Maria Sharapova (left) in Madrid
Bouchard was one of the biggest critics of Sharapova’s return to tennis following a drugs ban.
The Canadian came out on top tonight 7-5 2-6 6-4 and the pair shared a frosty handshake over the net at the end.
The result comes less than a fortnight ago when Bouchard branded Sharapova a “cheater” and said the Russian should be banned from tennis for life.
Eugenie Bouchard reacts to her victory
Maria Sharapova has recently returned from an anti-doping ban
Sharapova served a 15-month suspension for taking meldonium but returned to the sport with a glut of wildcard places for top-ranking tournaments.
“It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true. I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids: ‘cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms’,” Bouchard had said.
Sharapova was first to break on the Spanish clay but Bouchard rallied to take the first set 7-5.
Sharapova then got into her stride and dominated the second, winning four straight games to take the match to a final set.
And after trading blows Bouchard made the breakthrough for 4-3, breaking her opponent to love before seeing out the match.