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Eugenie Bouchard: winning start at 2018 Australian Open

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Eugenie Bouchard of Canada plays a backhand in her first round match against Oceane Dodin of France on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Eugenie Bouchard of Canada plays a backhand in her first round match against Oceane Dodin of France on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) /
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Eugenie Bouchard is off to a winning start at the 2018 Australian Open. The young Canadian showed both confidence and resilience in her opener.

Eugenie Bouchard wins her opening round match at the 2018 Australian Open.

Showing signs of her old self, Bouchard appeared confident on the court during her match with France’s Océane Dodin. The 21-year-old French tennis player had previously reached the second round of play twice at Melbourne Park. Bouchard, on the other hand, is looking to touch career heights yet again. In 2014, the Canadian was a semifinalist at the Australian Open.

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Bouchard looked confident in her first set against Dodin. Then, after dropping the first two games of the second set, she corrected and fought back to even the set at 2-2. It would go back and forth throughout the second set.

Eugenie Bouchard defeats Oceane Dodin 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

Taking the second set to tiebreak, Bouchard was tested by Dodin. The French tennis player held off Genie for her first two match points during their tiebreak. It would be Bouchard, however, for the win on her third match point.

The Canadian played in this year’s Hopman Cup before dropping her opener at the Hobart International. Her quick exit in Hobart did not provide her the warmup she was looking for heading into play at Melbourne Park. She wins her first match on the 2018 WTA Tour by advancing at the Australian Open. If top seed Simona Halep wins her opener, Bouchard will meet her next at the major tournament.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Look for Eugenie Bouchard to continue her momentum into the second round at the Australian Open. While she may not be a top pick for the title this year, Bouchard is an interesting pick to continue on at the Grand Slam event. Having a significant amount of experience in her young career, the Canadian is capable of surprising any opponent on the court. She is a former world No. 5 on the WTA Tour. Stay tuned to see how Genie fares throughout the rest of her time at the 2018 Australian Open.

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