Eugenie Bouchard has revealed that French Open semi-final opponent Maria Sharapova was an "idol" of hers when growing up.
Bouchard booked her place in the last four at Roland Garros with a hard-fought victory over Carla Suarez Navarro in the quarter-finals this afternoon, setting up a showdown with Sharapova.
The 20-year-old is bidding to reach her first Grand Slam final and emulate Sharapova, who has won one title at each of the four slams since triumphing at Wimbledon aged just 17.
"I remember when she won Wimbledon I was watching her on TV, and I thought, 'Wow, what she's doing is cool. I want to do the same,'" Bouchard told reporters.
"I was playing tennis already at the time. She was a source of inspiration for me at the time, and therefore, she was an idol for me when I was younger.
"But now we have reached the semi-finals of a grand slam. Now she's a tennis player. I respect her. But I will do my best during the match."
Bouchard is currently ranked 16th in the world, eight places below Sharapova.
Barney Corkhill
