PARIS, May 26, 2016
The top half of the women’s draw is in second round action on Thursday in Paris.
Timea Bacsinsky, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, knocked out Eugenie Bouchard in the opening match on court Philippe Chatrier, winning 6-4, 6-4. The eighth seed from Switzerland converted five of her eight break point chances to prevail in one hour and 24 minutes.
Eugenie Bouchard
“The most disappointing is that my game feels good. I felt like I put myself in a good position in preparation and everything. I’ve done everything that I possibly could to be ready. I started out strong. The game plan was working and things like that. So I think I lost the focus a little bit. She definitely raised her level but it’s unacceptable really to lose ten games in a row in a match,” Bouchard was disappointed afterwards.
Bacsinszky took revenge for the loss in Indian Wells earlier this season.
“I think she was a bit more aggressive than I expected. What woke me up in that second set was I realized I needed to be that one stepping into the court more. I more or less knew what to expect,” the Canadian added.
Ana Ivanovic
2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic advanced to the third round with a comfortable 7-5, 6-1 win over Kurumi Nara from Japan. The 14th seed from Serbia hit 35 winners and capitalized on four of 15 break point opportunities to seal victory in one hour and 24 minutes.
“I think that the whole match was actually very tough and physical. Even the games I won, I felt like I had to work hard for it. She played really well. I got a lot of balls back and she was reading some of my shots well in the first set. I tried to be aggressive and to come in. And sort of winning the first set gave me a little bit of confidence and a little bit of structure for the second set. But it was tough until the last point,” Ivanovic was pleased with her performance and also likes her zebra-style attire.
“I actually really like it. The cut of the dress is beautiful and I think it looks very feminine. The design also supports my favorite club, Partizan. It was very comfortable to play in. I know that there are different opinions about it but I enjoy it,” she smiled.
