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Eugenie Bouchard, team Canada struggle at Hopman Cup

By Harry Floyd

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Eugenie Bouchard and Vasek Pospisil of Canada talk tactics in their mixed doubles match against Daria Gavrilova and Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia on day 2 of the 2018 Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on December 31, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Eugenie Bouchard and Vasek Pospisil of Canada talk tactics in their mixed doubles match against Daria Gavrilova and Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia on day 2 of the 2018 Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on December 31, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) /
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Eugenie Bouchard and teammate Vasek Pospisil struggle in their Hopman Cup opener against team Australia. The home country’s team wins 2-1.

Eugenie Bouchard drops her opening singles match to Daria Gavrilova in straight sets at the 2018 Hopman Cup. Her teammate Vasek Pospisil also falls to Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in his opener.

Kokkinakis takes his singles meeting with Pospisil in three sets, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Team Canada did rebound somewhat in their mixed doubles match, winning 4-3 (1), 4-3 (4).

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From the start of her match with Gavrilova, Bouchard appeared to struggle. She was unable to find a rhythm in the opening set. Genie did attempt a comeback in the second set before Gavrilova ultimately took the meeting 6-1, 6-4.

Team Canada will face team Germany on Tuesday.

The road at the Hopman Cup does not get any easier for team Canada. Team Germany features former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber and Next Generation ATP star Alexander Zverev.

While Bouchard struggled throughout much of her 2017 WTA Tour campaign, she looks to have a bounce back year in 2018. Making a coaching change, the young Canadian appears to be in a new mindset for the upcoming tour. It is a disappointing start to her Hopman Cup run, but the mixed doubles win for team Canada gives the team some consolation over the opening weekend. Elsewhere, team Switzerland defeats Japan 3-0. Roger Federer and teammate Belinda Bencic complete the sweep over the Japanese.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Eugenie Bouchard must prove herself on the 2018 WTA Tour. As the Hopman Cup serves as a fun and competitive warmup for several top players in the sport, Bouchard can utilize her time there to find some momentum heading into the Australian Open. The 2014 WTA Tour is Bouchard’s most successful year to date. She reached the semifinals at the Australian Open to kick off her career year and reached as high as the world No. 5 ranking. With play at Melbourne Park right around the corner, the young Canadian must find her rhythm soon. Angelique Kerber, who is on team Germany, is a former Australian Open champion. Winning the Grand Slam in 2016, there is no doubt that Kerber is also looking for a successful January.

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