Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard have one thing in common – they both never liked being compared to anyone else.
Sharapova, the current world No2, has become a global icon and is way past her Kournikova-comparison years while Bouchard is working hard on making a name for herself.
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Still, when the pair face-off in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday, there’s one undeniable common trait that ties them both – their fierce competitive nature. Even Sharapova can’t disagree with that.
Asked if she sees herself in Bouchard at all, Sharapova said: “As a tennis player she’s a big competitor. She’s an aggressive player as well who likes to take the ball early and dictate points. From that perspective, yeah, definitely.”
Their upcoming last eight showdown is a rematch of their tight semi-final at the French Open last year, where Sharapova rallied from a set down to defeat Bouchard en route to capturing her fifth grand slam trophy.
Bouchard, the No7 seed in Melbourne, believes she has improved her game since that meeting.
“I think I’ve progressed a lot since then, and I definitely want to keep playing my game no matter what. Really kind of take it to her (Sharapova), go for my shots. That’s what I want to do on the court. And it’s more fun when I play that way, too,” said the 20-year-old Canadian.
Unlike Sharapova, who breezed through her last 16 match 6-3, 6-0 over No21 seed Peng Shuai on Sunday, Bouchard was tested by Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.
The world No7 was cruising 6-1, 3-0 before Begu decided to make a match out of it, and struck back to take the second set. Bouchard eventually won 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 but admits she’s got some work to do.
“It’s disappointing for me because I want to play so well and I want to be perfect. That’s not possible. It happens,” said Bouchard.
“It’s great with slams that we have a day off and it gives you some more time if you want to work on a few things here and there.”