MONTREAL — Genie Bouchard prolonged her tennis profession for a minimum of another match Monday, beating Emiliana Arango 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 within the first spherical of the Nationwide Financial institution Open.
Bouchard, who reached the Wimbledon ultimate and two different Grand Slam semifinals in 2014, introduced this month that she would retire after a ultimate look in her hometown match.
She then opened it along with her first WTA Tour victory since 2023 — and the three hundredth of her profession — and superior to face No. 17 seed Belinda Bencic.
Bouchard reached No. 5 within the rankings in 2014 however the 31-year-old has largely switched to pickleball, enjoying only one match this season earlier than being given a wild card into the Montreal match.
After splitting the primary two units, Bouchard broke the 82nd-ranked Arango twice — first with a forehand, then from the Colombian’s missed volley — to construct a 5-1 lead within the decisive third.
Arango broke again with Bouchard serving for the match to make it 5-2, however the Canadian went up 40-love within the ensuing sport. Arango then despatched her backhand large on Bouchard’s second match level.
Bouchard waved and blew kisses to the group after the win.
“I informed my household that if I gained, I’d come out of retirement,” she stated from middle courtroom. “I felt just like the outdated Genie on the market.”
Emma Raducanu, enjoying simply two days after dropping within the semifinals in Washington, beat Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-2, 6-4. Naomi Osaka, in her first match since asserting she would not work with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, eradicated Ariana Arseneault 6-4, 6-2.
