Retirement will wait for Eugenie Bouchard, who goes to the 2nd round on the ABN

Eugenie Bouchard is not quite ready to say goodbye to professional tennis. The Quebecer delivered an impressive performance on Monday evening, at the Montreal National Bank Omnium, where she defeated the Colombian Emiliana Arango in three rounds of 6-4, 2-6 and 6-2.

Bouchard had announced that this tournament would be his last with the professionals.

The 31 -year -old, the Westmountaise had returned to the WTA circuit in early July in Newport, Rhode Island, after almost a year of absence. With such a short preparation, little believed in his chances of defeating Arango, a young 24 -year -old player who occupies 82nd in the world.

However, Bouchard, who no longer has a single classification, displayed his form of beautiful days on Monday evening, on the central court of the IGA stadium.

I told my family that if I win the tournament, I leave retirementshe said, laughing in her post-match interview.

I felt like the old genius on the ground, I was very concentrated. I fought throughout the match. I wanted to be happy with myself and my game. I only focused on that. During the match, I even forgot the score. I am very happy.

From the start of the meeting, she presented a high level of play and surprising confidence. After being broken at the fifth game, she broke in return and won the first round with confidence.

The second was the Arango affair, which missed less and pushed Bouchard to error by turning all the balls.

The Colombian had the wind in the sails at the start of the third round, but Bouchard had not said her last word. After breaking in the fourth game, gave itself a 4-1 lead with relentlessness.

She finally completed the victory by breaking the service of her opponent again.

The former 5th world player and finalist in Wimbledon in 2014 was very moved when greeting the crowd.

Being back in Montreal, it reminded me of good memories here, said Bouchard. My good habits have returned, even if I had not played such a important match in front of a crowd like this for a long time.

As I broke his service to lead 5-1, the crowd was so noisy that I no longer felt my body for 30 seconds, the Quebecer said. I lost the game […] During the side change, I found my concentration.

The crowd helped me in terms of my motivation and my energy, but sometimes it was almost too much! I sometimes had to block it to stay focused, even if I appreciated its supportshe added.

She said she was very proud of the way she fought. It was a real battle and I enjoyed it every second.

In the next round, Bouchard will face Switzerland Belinda Bencic, 17th seeded and tournament champion in 2015.

Arseneault eliminated by Osaka

Earlier during the day, Canadian Ariana Arseneault lost in two rounds of 6-4 and 6-2 against Naomi Osaka, in the first round.

The 23 -year -old Ontario, who is 515th in the world, stood up to the Japanese in the first round. After filling a breakdown of a break, she managed to equalize the brand at 4-4.

Osaka then took control of the meeting by winning seven of the following eight games. She pocketed the victory after 1 h 16 min of play.

Former world no 1, the 27 -year -old Japanese woman has four Grand Slam titles, and currently points to 49th row in the WTA ranking.

In the next round, she will face the Russian Liudmila Samsonova, 13th seeded.

For its part, Ontario Kayla Cross was defeated in three rounds of 4-6, 6-3 and 6-2 by Kamilla Rakhimova in his first match.

The Canadian, 262nd in the world, fell in front of the Russian (62nd) after 1 h 55 min of play on the concrete of the IGA stadium.

Rakhimova will face the second round the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (13th), who took advantage of a pass in the first round.

With Canadian press information