Eugenie Bouchard has upstaged Ana Ivanovic in her maiden grand slam quarter-final, winning a quality clash at the Australian Open.
Bouchard, the 30th seed of Canada, played with nerves of steel against a limited Ivanovic, who appeared restricted by a right thigh problem.
And the teenager from Quebec made the most of her opportunity, prevailing 5-7 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 24 minutes to earn a semi-final date with China's Li Na.
The performance from Bouchard was made all the more impressive by the fact it is her first main-draw appearance at Melbourne Park - and her fourth in a major - meaning she remains in the running to become the first woman to win on debut in Australia since Monica Seles in 1991.
Six holds of serve kicked off the pair's second career meeting, with both players feeling one another out - and noticeably, the backhand was the shot being exploited on both sides of the net.
And the teenager from Quebec made the most of her opportunity, prevailing 5-7 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 24 minutes to earn a semi-final date with China's Li Na.
The performance from Bouchard was made all the more impressive by the fact it is her first main-draw appearance at Melbourne Park - and her fourth in a major - meaning she remains in the running to become the first woman to win on debut in Australia since Monica Seles in 1991.
Six holds of serve kicked off the pair's second career meeting, with both players feeling one another out - and noticeably, the backhand was the shot being exploited on both sides of the net.
That serving form dissipated quickly as five breaks of serve followed, with Bouchard brave in fighting back from 4-3 and 5-4 down, only to succumb to the pressure eventually and hand the first set to the 14th seed.
Ivanovic, not unlike against Sam Stosur and Serena Williams, was unashamedly trying to bully the Canadian on her second serve.
But the big-hitting Bouchard found a way back into the match, breaking in the third game of the second set, before fighting off multiple break points only to concede the game to Ivanovic - who still trailed 4-3, and took an immediate off-court injury time-out.
Bouchard did not let herself get cold, though, and stormed through the first four points after the interval to earn herself the chance to serve for a third set - but blew it, with three unforced errors from the Canadian putting the set back on serve.
The teenager was able to at least force a tie-break when she held for 6-5, at which point Ivanovic again met with the trainer - as it seemed her strapping on her thigh needed reinforcing.
Fortune then favoured the brave - as an injustice on the first point of the 12th game saw a call go against Bouchard.
The point was replayed, and Ivanovic double-faulted - before doing so again down set point to send the match to a decider - with both of the free points coming via stiff net cords.
The net continued to favour the underdog early in the third set, as Ivanovic double-faulted again via the cord and Bouchard saved a game point with a dead drop in the second game.
But the Serb, battling restricted movement still, held for 1-1.
However, she would not be as fortunate at her next time stepping up to serve, as Bouchard broke for the 3-1 buffer - and the finish line ever nearing.
Bouchard did not need to serve for the match, and she was probably grateful for that, and she maintained her aggressive game style on match point - clocking her 47th winner of the match to continue her impressive run.
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