Positive signs for Bouchard with opening round qualifying win at ASB Classic to start 2023 season

Eugenie Bouchard has spent her comeback in recent months slowly building herself back up after a shoulder injury which hampered her best run of recent years.

Bouchard chose not to play Grand Slam tournaments in order to use her protected ranking but like Dominic Thiem has had to play qualifying. This time for the ASB Classic.

It started with victory over Ann Li for the Canadian with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph. She will play her second match of qualifying against Katie Volynets or Katrina Scott on New Years Day.

This is the final round with a spot in the main draw for the victor. For Bouchard, she has played recently the World Tennis League in Dubai and after most of 2022 off court will look to begin 2023 positively.