Australia’s 17th seed Ashleigh Barty will face a dangerous encounter in the second round at Wimbledon when she takes on Eugenie Bouchard. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:30pm (AEST).
This, on paper looking at achievements, shapes as an intriguing battle. They won the junior Wimbledon championships (Bouchard in 2011 and Barty in 2012) and have both had runs at different tournaments and grand slams.
That’s where the similarities stop though. It’s incredibly difficult to know exactly what to make of the plight Bouchard has faced over the past two or three years.
While she is a social media sensation among other off court endeavours, her on court play has, frankly, been poor at best and terrible at worst.
Coming into Wimbledon, the 2014 finalist here was ranked outside the top 100 and had to come through the qualifiers, where, to be fair, she excelled. A ranking of 188 doesn’t accurately describe the talents of Bouchard, who will be in for a rise after getting over Gabriella Taylor in the first round.
The Canadian’s serve and volley has been one of her biggest assets over the yers and it seemed to return during the four matches she has played so far at Wimbledon following injury and a weak clay court season.
At the other end of the court, the 22-year-old Barty has never looked in better form. She is ranked 17th in the world as we speak and dominated a few weeks ago at Nottingham to claim tournament victory.
Barty then went to the quarter-finals of Eastbourne, with scalps across the tournaments including Naomi Osaka, Johanna Konta and Stefanie Voegele.
She then came out and dominated her first round clash at The Championships, with a straightforward straight sets victory over Stefanie Voegele paving the way for her.
The Australian has had her serve firing for her whenever she has needed it, which is a great asset to have on grass. It’s not the fastest in the game, but it’s accurate and allows opponents few opportunities to get into service games.
If she keeps that up, she shouldn’t have too many problems putting away the inconsistent Bouchard.
Prediction
Bouchard has failed to win big matches in the last year or two, which is no small surprise given her drastic move down the rankings. It’s hard to see her beating a composed and controlled Barty here.
Barty in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this second-round match at Wimbledon from 8:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Down 4-5 in the second,terrific play to win in two
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Great work Barty absolutely stormed home in that match.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me for this one as Ashleigh Barty beat Eugenie Bouchard. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back in a little while Nick Kyrgios and Robin Haase, who will play after the end of Tomas Fabbiano and Stan Wawrinka. Be sure to join me then. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty will now play the winner of Yulia Putintseva and Daria Kasatkina in the third round.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another fault. The second is at the body again and returned on the forehand. Barty plays the slice and that will be the end of that, as Bouchard puts the forehand into the net. Ashleigh Barty is through to the third round, winning five straight games through the end of the second set to take the victory. Ashleigh Barty 6 7 Eugenie Bouchard 4 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty with a fault, then she goes at the body. Bouchard tries to rip the backhand, but puts it into the net. Fifth match point. Barty 6 6 - AD Bouchard 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bouchard still fighting here. Playing with great depth and Barty looks tense. Forehand into the net. Barty 6 6 - deuce (3) Bouchard 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, returned long. Another match point. Barty 6 6 - AD Bouchard 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty with a fault. The second is returned with depth on the forehand, then Bouchard steps into another forehand and puts it away through the open court. Barty 6 6 - deuce (1) Bouchard 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lovely serve down the T! Bouchard sends the return long. Barty 6 6 - AD Bouchard 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty fires a forehand wide now and all of a sudden Bouchard has saved the first two match points. Barty 6 6 - deuce (1) Bouchard 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Classy comment. Take it elsewhere you goose.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lovely return again from Bouchard. Got plenty of depth on a second serve and Barty returns it wide. Barty 6 6 - 40 Bouchard 4 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve. Two match points for Barty as Bouchard puts the return long. Barty 6 6 - 40 Bouchard 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Better from Bouchard. Gets the return to the baseline this time and Barty puts it out of the stadium from the ground. Barty 6 6 - 30 Bouchard 4 5 - 15
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Hopefully this game doesnt blow out like the Storm Dragons match.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty with a fault. She goes down the T and Bouchard returns it well wide. Barty 6 6 - 30 Bouchard 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty serving for the match. Starts with a fault and Bouchard puts a forehand long. Barty 6 6 - 15 Bouchard 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty has won four consecutive games. Mishit on the return of serve there, but it clears the net, drops away and she will take the luck. Barty now to serve for the match. Barty 6 6 - Bouchard 4 5 -