Eugenie Bouchard is hoping she can shake off the Maria Sharapova comparison that has been constantly accompanying her since she broke through on the tennis scene when she faces the Russian in the semi-finals.
Many have likened the 20-yearold Canadian to Sharapova in terms of confidence, appearance and ability to fight, and the latter was quite evident as they were simultaneously rallying back to beat their quarter- final opponents on Tuesday.
But Bouchard says it’s important for her that people recognise her uniqueness as she prepares for her second consecutive grand slam semi-final.
“I think there are some positives and some negatives,” she said of being referred to as the ‘next Maria Sharapova’. "Of course she’s a great champion, so to be seen as the next of someone who has won four slams and has been No1 in the world, it’s a compliment.
“But at the same time, of course I’m my own person and I just want to be myself on the court, and try to achieve what I want to achieve and just be seen as that.”
Bouchard met Sharapova for the first time as a seven-year-old attending the Miami Masters as a fan, and even took a picture with the Russian at the time.
Asked to describe her relationship with the No7 seed, Bouchard said: “We’re not friends, so there is that. Of course as a child I looked up to her and I remember watching her in the finals of Wimbledon and thought what she was doing was so cool and I wanted to do the same thing.
“For sure I respect her. But now we’re in the semis of a grand slam, so I’m going to respect her but not put her too high on a pedestal and really just battle. That’s what it’s going to be. I will leave everything on court and just focus on myself and try my best to win.”
Bouchard is the first Canadian – man or woman – to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros.
Sharapova, who won here in 2012, will be taking on a tough young prospect for a second match in a row having had to fight off Garbine Muguruza in three sets in the previous round.
“I think the younger generation is ambitious. That’s why they are in these stages of the tournament,” the Russian said. “Last year was the last time that we faced each other (me and Bouchard). It was the second round, and this year we’re in the semi-finals. It’s a great stage to be at for both of us.”
