Upsets Hit Charleston: Bouchard, Stephens, Stosur Lose; Makarova Withdraws
It was an upsetting day if you were a tournament favorite at Charleston. While Madison Keys advanced into the third round of the first WTA clay stop this spring, a host of top names departed in the second round.
Top seed and wildcard Genie Bouchard’s struggles continued as the Wimbledon finalist was sent off by Lauren Davis 6-3, 6-1.
“I obviously hate losing but I’m not going to be too hard on myself,” Bouchard said. “I know I’ve not been feeling like myself on the court, so it’s just a matter of taking some time now, not playing a tournament, and just taking some time to train and get back to feeling like myself on the court.
“I definitely felt a little bit slow today, overpowered, which is never usually the case. Usually I’m the one who’s dominating. So it was definitely just not good – whatever happened was just not good.”
For Davis it was her second career Top 10 win after Victoria Azarenka last year at Indian Wells.
“I’d never beaten her before, so I came out knowing I had nothing to lose,” Davis said. “I knew to beat her I’d have to be fearless – I saw this as a great opportunity.”
Sloane Stephens, who looked so good in Miami, also lost in straight sets, losing to 15 seed Mona Barthel 6-3, 7-6.
Former 2010 champion Sam Stosur was bounced by Lara Arruabarrena 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 and promising teen Belinda Bencic crashed out to qualifier Danka Kovinic.
Last year’s surprise finalist Jana Cepelova also fell, but to former French runner-up Sara Errani. Youngsters Ajla Tomljanovic and Donna Vekic also lost.
No. 2 seed Ekaterina Makarova had to withdraw after her match win due to a gastrointestinal issue.
Among those still remaining in the event are Keys, Jelena Jankovic, Angelique Kerber and defending champion Andrea Petkovic.
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