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PARIS – Eugenie Bouchard could downplay expectations. Cheap Air Max 270 . Nobody would blame her. Shes only 20-years-old after all and playing in just her second French Open. But when asked what would need to happen to make her campaign at Roland Garros this season a success, Canadas rising star doesnt hold back. "To win it," Bouchard said, her own boldness yielding a laugh. But, make no mistake, she is dead serious. "I always expect high things of myself and Ive been working so hard for so many years that nothing is a real surprise to me and I have big ambitions in tennis. I want to achieve great things." Bouchard certainly isnt lacking confidence. She showed that during a magical run to the Australian Open semifinals in January. But Bouchard has a specific reason to have a hop in her step these days. On Saturday, she beat Karolina Pliskova in the championship match of the Nuremberg Cup, earning her first career WTA title. "Just so happy," said Bouchard describing the emotions in the moments after match point. "To go to a city and leave and not lose a match and win all the matches is something special." Bouchard almost didnt play in the tournament. Most top players will not travel to an event in the week before a grand slam choosing instead to rest, practice and arrive at the venue early. But after disappointing first-round straight-set losses at tune-up events in Madrid (v No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska) and Rome (v No. 61 Francesca Schiavone) Bouchard was convinced that playing more was the best way to prep for the seasons second major. "We were debating whether to even come to Nuremberg and I said, You know what? I want to play matches. I want to keep trying and keep working. We got here early and practiced. It was pretty cold early in the week, it was tough practices, tough conditions, but I kept working hard and Im proud of myself for that. When you work hard good things happen. I think thats what happened this week." That Bouchards first career championship came on clay is a bit of a surprise. It is not her favourite surface. "My game is pretty aggressive, so I like to step in and control the point and the clay just slows it up a little bit, but its a good thing. It teaches me patience ... sometimes Im not so patient. "It adds different dimensions to your game and if I can perform well on clay it will show myself that I can have a well-rounded game." Last year Bouchards run at the French Open ended in the second round at the hands of eventual finalist Maria Sharapova. It was a tough loss (6-2, 6-4), but one that made the Montreal native stronger. "I think it helps for sure. I got to play on centre court, experienced a rain delay, my match was over two days and its all part of the experience. I always enjoy the chance to play one of the great players and I always learn so much. Ive learned from that match." Bouchard wont have to deal with Sharapova or any other top name early in the tournament this time around. Thats one of the perks of being the 18th seed. Bouchard will open against 86th ranked Israeli Shahar Peer, who has lost all three matches to the Canadian in her career including one in March (6-2, 6-2 in Acapulco). Waiting in the second round should Bouchard advance will be either German Julia Goerges or Portugals Michelle Larcher De Brito. Both are outside the top 100 in the latest rankings. The third round is when things may get tougher as No. 12 Flavia Pennetta would be a formidable roadblock, but far from unbeatable. But first things first: Bouchard needs to get settled in France. One negative repercussion from playing in the week before a slam is that it makes for a tight turnaround. There was a 90-minute flight from Nuremberg to Paris on Saturday night followed by a practice on Sunday. Bouchards match against Peer is set for Monday. Although theres actually a chance the short rest time may be a good thing. "I always like playing matches so, for me, the more I can play the better. I can get in a rhythm of playing competitive matches and I think it gives me extra confidence." Extra confidence? Not a fun thought for those in Bouchards section of the draw. Discount Nike Air Max Wholesale . The Calgary skip fell 10-8 to Swedens Oskar Eriksson in semifinal action Saturday and will face Switzerlands Peter de Cruz for the bronze medal (Saturday at 10pm et/7pm pt on TSN2). Nike Air Max Sale . PETERSBURG, Florida – Its been almost seven years since the Blue Jays last won a series at Tropicana Field.NEW YORK -- Miles Mikolas earned his first win as a starter, pitching into the eighth inning Monday night and leading the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the sloppy New York Yankees. Trailing by a run with none on and two outs in the sixth, Texas got run-scoring singles from Geovany Soto, Rougned Odor and Shin-Soo Choo to go ahead in only its third win in 17 July games. Adrian Beltre drove in the Rangers first run with a fielders choice in the third inning on one of New Yorks five errors -- three by starting pitcher Shane Greene (2-1). Second baseman Brian Roberts and shortstop Derek Jeter made the other errors for the Yankees, who had not committed five in a nine-inning game since Aug. 20, 1998, against Minnesota. Mikolas (1-2) yielded two runs, including Jacoby Ellsburys homer, and four hits in a career-high 7 1-3 innings to outlast Greene in a matchup of 25-year-old pitchers getting a shot because of injury-wrecked rotations. Joakim Soria gave up a single to Kelly Johnson and plunked pinch-hitter Brian McCann with a pitch before getting Yangervis Solarte to fly out for his 17th save. Mikolas won for the first time since Aug. 21, 2012, with San Diego. He made 25 relief appearances for the Padres that year. Hes had little success this year, coming in with a 10.05 ERA in three starts. It all nearly fell apart for Mikolas in the fifth when the Yankees loaded the bases. But with a large crowd cheering Jeter on his figurine night, he grounded into an inning-ending double play. Winners of only five of their last 25 games, the Rangers then broke through against Greene in his first appearancee at Yankee Stadium. Wholesale Nike Air Max From China. Soto struck out with runners on first and third in the second -- they were there thanks to two poor throws to first base by Greene -- but came through with the tying hit in the sixth, a single to left after Jake Smolinski singled and Jim Adduci walked. Matt Thornton relieved and gave up consecutive run-scoring hits to Odor and Choo. Playing the outfield for the first time since the All-Star break because of left ankle trouble, Choo snapped an 0-for-22 skid with a third-inning double. Green was charged with four runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He had given up just two runs total in his first two career starts. Carlos Beltran put New York ahead with a sacrifice fly in the first after Jeter walked, advanced to second on a balk and third on Ellsburys single. Ellsbury homered leading off the fourth to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. It was the seventh straight time he reached base after going 4 for 4 with a walk in a win over Cincinnati on Sunday. NOTES: Rangers C Soto left after the top of the sixth with tightness in his right groin. Smolinski bruised his left foot and was lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth. ... Rangers RF Alex Rios (sprained right ankle) missed his second straight game. Manager Ron Washington said Rios looked much better and could play before the series ends Thursday. ... Injured Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (knee) turned 34. ... Up next: The Rangers plan to activate RHP Nick Martinez (1-6) from the DL to start Tuesday against the Yankees. He has been out since July 2 with discomfort on his left side. Rookie RHP Chase Whitley (4-3) starts for New York. ' ' '
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