Sport

Bouchard plays Cornet impressively to win

The 20-year-old Canadian beats Serena Williams’ conqueror in straight sets

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada reacts after defeating Alize Cornet of France in their women’s singles tennis match at the Wimbledon . Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada reacts after defeating Alize Cornet of France in their women’s singles tennis match at the Wimbledon . Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
Mon Jun 30 2014 - 16:09

Eugenie Bouchard remained on course for a third successive grand slam semi-final as she overcame Alize Cornet on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

The 20-year-old Canadian won 7-6 (7/5) 7-5 under the roof to book her place in the last eight.

Bouchard was pushed all the way by her French opponent, who had knocked out world number one Serena Williams in the third round.

After claiming the first set on a tight tie-break, Bouchard then trailed by a break in the second before digging herself out of trouble to eventually come through in just over one hour and 45 minutes.

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There had been an early stoppage with the first set at 3-2 to Cornet on serve following a heavy rain shower, which forced the players off while the roof was closed.

Following the resumption, at just after 2.0pm, there remained little to choose between the two players as the first set went to a tie-break.

Bouchard, the 2012 Wimbledon girls champion, swiftly moved 4-1 ahead, only for a double fault to allow Cornet in again and she eventually led 5-4.

World number 13 Bouchard recovered to break back for a set point, which she made the most of as Cornet sent a backhand into the net and then threw down her racquet in frustration. Cornet soon regrouped.

The world number 24 saved an early break in the second set, and then made the most of the chance which came her way at 15-40 against the Bouchard serve in the fifth game to move 3-2 ahead following a fierce cross-court winner from the baseline.

That soon became 5-3 as Bouchard produced several unforced errors, only to then rediscover her touch to break back and level at 5-5.

Cornet challenged a close line call, which Hawk-Eye proved correct, and her subsequent long return handed the advantage back to Bouchard, 6-5 up.

The pressure then finally told as Cornet could not force another tie-break, a long return giving Bouchard victory on her first match-point chance.

In the quarter-finals, Bouchard could face Maria Sharapova, who beat her en route to the title at the French Open, should the 2004 Wimbledon champion overcome German Angelique Kerber in the third match scheduled on Court One.