Bouchard, Stephens Fall to Spirited Opponents

Top seed Genie Bouchard was upset Wednesday afternoon at the Volvo Car Open, the world No. 7 knocked out by American up-and-comer Lauren Davis, 6-3, 6-1 on Billie Jean King Stadium Court.

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Bouchard, a semifinalist a year ago in Charleston, couldn’t find her range against an opponent who rarely missed. Davis, the world No. 66, moves into the third round to face Mona Barthel, the 15th seed.

“I had nothing to lose,” Davis said on court after the win. “I knew in order to beat her I would have to play fearless and that’s what I did.”

Barthel was fearless as well in her victory, a 6-3, 7-6(2) effort against an in-form Sloane Stephens.

“I played against an opponent that was playing really solid tennis,” said Stephens. “I mean, I just didn’t have enough out there today. I obviously tried to battle as hard as I could but came up a little bit short. And next time hopefully I’ll win.”

Bouchard was a last-minute wild card into the Cup, coming off early losses in both Indian Wells and Miami. She couldn’t find her form against the consistent American however, the green clay playing to the advantage of the American.

“I definitely felt a little bit slow today, overpowered, which is never usually the case,” Bouchard said after the loss. “Usually I’m the one dominating. So it was definitely just… I don’t know, just not good. Whatever happened was not good.”

Davis grabs her biggest win since an upset over world No. 4 Victoria Azarenka in Indian Wells last year.