Lucie Safarova, 26, proved too powerful for Eugenie Bouchard Saturday at the Bell Challenge in Quebec City, ousting the rising Westmount hopeful 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The Czech, ranked 41, was the third seed in the tournament and required everything in her arsenal to overcome a feisty Bouchard, 19, who was the fifth seed and is currently enjoying a career-high ranking at 53.
It was the first-ever meeting between the two.
Safarova had defeated the American Lauren Davis in straight sets to get to the semis, while Bouchard had upset second-seed Kristina Mladenovic of France 6-3, 6-2.
After that match Mladenovic offered Bouchard unusual praise, saying that Bouchard appeared to be “in heat.” She then blushingly explained that the expression is popular in France and means that someone is playing well.
In the other semi-final, Marina Erakovic of New Zealand beat Christina McHale (U.S.) 6-4 6-3, to set up the finals showdown Sunday.
Bouchard's ranking is expected to rise to below 50 after reaching the semi-finals.
