Eugenie Bouchard stuns 'cheater' Maria Sharapova with marathon three-set victory over rival
Bouchard's forthright opinions about Sharapova's doping ban made headlines last week, but this week's back pages will be dominated by the Canadian's 7-5 2-6 6-4 win
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Your support makes all the difference.Eugenie Bouchard claimed she had the support of the tennis world behind her after landing her first ever win over Maria Sharapova in a Madrid Open grudge match laced with tension over the Canadian's outspoken comments over Sharapova's return to the sport after a 15-month doping ban.
Bouchard blasted the red carpet treatment laid out to Sharapova with a series of wildcards to big events last week, calling her "a cheater" and claiming a life ban should have been imposed on the Russian for testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
And she blasted her off the court in the Spanish capital 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in a thrilling near three-hour contest with a performance reminiscent of the form that made her the sport's golden girl three years ago.
Bouchard revealed her inspired display was motivated not only by her own need to back up her criticism, but reward the support of others within the sport too "scared" to speak out against the five-time Grand Slam champion.
"I definitely had some extra motivation going into today. Obviously I had never beaten her before and also given the circumstances.
"I was actually quite inspired before the match because I had a lot of players coming up to me privately wishing me good luck.
"Players I don't normally speak to, getting a lot of texts from people in the tennis world that were just rooting for me.
"I wanted to do it for myself, but also all these people. I really felt support.
"It showed me that most people have my opinion, and they were just maybe scared to speak out."
A meeting between players ranked 258 and 60 in the world wouldn't normally demand the prime time setting of the night session at Madrid's "Magic Box", described by Sharapova as "eerie" with its multiple steel surrounded VIP boxes court side.
They were filled to the rafters, though, whilst back in the cheap seats a large Russian flag draped over unused rows was representative of what has been a warm reception for Sharapova.
Sharapova claimed to be above Bouchard's jibes as she continues to block out the travelling media circus following her every move on her return to the WTA Tour after making the semi-finals in Stuttgart last week.
Even by her standards there was an extra edge to her guttural roar as she unloaded all the power she could summon upon Bouchard.
And Sharapova insisted her disappointment lay in defeat, not in who she was defeated by, as she vowed she will win more Grand Slams.
"I think I would be worried about myself if I sat here and said I'm pretty happy with losing a tennis match, no matter who I face, no matter what round it is, whether it's the first round or final of a Grand Slam.
"I'm a big competitor. What you work for so many hours every single day is to be on the winning end of matches.
"Today was just not that day. Of course, I'm disappointed. That's what's going to make me a better player. That's what's going to win me more tournaments and more Grand Slams."
Sharapova struck first in a topsy-turvy first set with a searing forehand down the line to lead 4-2.
However, Bouchard wasn't bowed and broke twice in a three game run to serve for the set at 5-4.
Sharapova upped her intensity once more to break back to 15, but a marathon 18-point 11th game tipped the balance of the first set Bouchard's way when Sharapova fired long and Bouchard served it out 7-5.
If Sharapova wasn't angered enough by being dragged through the mud, losing just her second set in 10 against Bouchard did the trick.
"I want you to be the hunter," coach Sven Groeneveld told Sharapova and Bouchard was soon being pulled apart as Sharapova reeled off four straight games to take the second set 6-2.
Break points aplenty came and went for both players at the start of the third before Bouchard finally made the breakthrough to lead 4-3.
Adversity brought of the best of Sharapova's champion qualities once more as she broke straight back, but she then threw away a 30-0 lead as Bouchard broke again to serve for the match.
And the 23-year-old held her nerve, seeing off another two break points and an unfortunate let cord on her first match point to celebrate wildly before exchanging a frosty handshake at the net.
"She said: 'well played'" Bouchard confirmed when asked what words were exhanged.
"I think she's been playing really well in her so-called comeback.”
Judging by the support she's received, Bouchard's comeback to form is a much more welcome one.
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