Watch Sharapova Vs Bouchard Live Stream - Semifinals
The 20-year-old Canadian won just six games in her first Grand Slam semifinal in Australia earlier this year, and she will be looking to show the world that she can play with the world's best.
Who will earn the first berth into the 2014 French Open women's final? Find out when comprehensive live coverage begins at 8:50 a.m. ET.
To win, Bouchard will have to stay aggressive even when the Sharapova groundstrokes paint the lines. She'll need to serve effectively, get the first strike in rallies and approach the net where possible. It would also be a good idea to rush Sharapova, who famously slows the pace of her matches in order to ramp up the intimidation factor. For her part, Maria will focus not one jot on what Bouchard is doing. She'll play the game which, however one-dimensional, has brought her a career Grand Slam and the number one ranking.
With two of the most telegenic players in the game competing for a place in the French Open final, all eyes and lenses will be turned to Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday. Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard both earned their quarter-final victories the hard way. In fact, each woman was just a handful of points away from exiting the tournament entirely. Sharapova trailed Garbine Muguruza by a set and 4-5, while Bouchard was a break down in the deciding set of her match with Carla Suarez Navarro.
The first of two women's semifinals at the 2014 French Open Thursday presents us with an experienced member of the old guard taking on a fresh face.
No. 7 Maria Sharapova, who has four Grand Slam titles, will face No. 18 Eugenie Bouchard, who is playing in her second Grand Slam semifinal, at 9 a.m. ET on Court Philippe Chatrier. It was mental strength that put the brakes on an all-Spanish semi-final. Sharapova did just enough, just in time, to wrestle the momentum from Muguruza. After a blowout 6-1 fist set in which she struggled to hit with rhythm and depth, the 2012 French Open champion refused to blink, sneaked the second 7-5 and then powered home in the third.
Sharapova is the most experienced player left in the field, and if she wants a chance at her second French Open crown, she will have to get past the emerging Bouchard, who has made a name for herself at the first two majors of 2014.
The 18th seed won six of the last seven games to book a spot in her second straight Grand Slam semi-final. So what can we expect when these two bring their steely demeanours and clean-hitting games to battle? Sharapova and Bouchard have met twice before, with the Russian winning both contests in straight sets. Sharapova has much more experience at tennis' elite level - this will be her 18th appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam - and she rarely loses to those ranked below her on clay.
Who will earn the first berth into the 2014 French Open women's final? Find out when comprehensive live coverage begins at 8:50 a.m. ET.
To win, Bouchard will have to stay aggressive even when the Sharapova groundstrokes paint the lines. She'll need to serve effectively, get the first strike in rallies and approach the net where possible. It would also be a good idea to rush Sharapova, who famously slows the pace of her matches in order to ramp up the intimidation factor. For her part, Maria will focus not one jot on what Bouchard is doing. She'll play the game which, however one-dimensional, has brought her a career Grand Slam and the number one ranking.
With two of the most telegenic players in the game competing for a place in the French Open final, all eyes and lenses will be turned to Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday. Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard both earned their quarter-final victories the hard way. In fact, each woman was just a handful of points away from exiting the tournament entirely. Sharapova trailed Garbine Muguruza by a set and 4-5, while Bouchard was a break down in the deciding set of her match with Carla Suarez Navarro.
The first of two women's semifinals at the 2014 French Open Thursday presents us with an experienced member of the old guard taking on a fresh face.
No. 7 Maria Sharapova, who has four Grand Slam titles, will face No. 18 Eugenie Bouchard, who is playing in her second Grand Slam semifinal, at 9 a.m. ET on Court Philippe Chatrier. It was mental strength that put the brakes on an all-Spanish semi-final. Sharapova did just enough, just in time, to wrestle the momentum from Muguruza. After a blowout 6-1 fist set in which she struggled to hit with rhythm and depth, the 2012 French Open champion refused to blink, sneaked the second 7-5 and then powered home in the third.
Sharapova is the most experienced player left in the field, and if she wants a chance at her second French Open crown, she will have to get past the emerging Bouchard, who has made a name for herself at the first two majors of 2014.
The 18th seed won six of the last seven games to book a spot in her second straight Grand Slam semi-final. So what can we expect when these two bring their steely demeanours and clean-hitting games to battle? Sharapova and Bouchard have met twice before, with the Russian winning both contests in straight sets. Sharapova has much more experience at tennis' elite level - this will be her 18th appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam - and she rarely loses to those ranked below her on clay.
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