Eugenie Bouchard reveals players’ messages of support before outlasting Maria Sharapova in Madrid

ByMichael Hincks

Updated 09/05/2017 at 08:48 GMT

Eugenie Bouchard says she received messages of support from other players before beating Maria Sharapova in an epic three-setter at the Madrid Open.

Sharapova was branded a “cheater” by Bouchard last month, following the Russian’s return to tennis from a 15-month doping ban.

[Bouchard beats Sharapova in Madrid Open grudge match after 'cheater' claim]

And Bouchard’s pointed comments added some extra spice to her meeting with Sharapova in the second round of the Madrid Open on Monday, with the Canadian prevailing 7-5 2-6 6-4 in a marathon encounter which lasted almost three hours.

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A brief handshake followed between the pair, before Bouchard once more took aim at the five-time Grand Slam champion.

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada celebrates match point in her match against Maria Sharapova

Image credit: Getty Images

"She said 'well played'," said Bouchard.

And I think she's been playing really well in her so-called comeback, if you want to call it that.

I was inspired because I had a lot of players coming up to me privately, wishing me good luck.

"They were players I don't normally speak to and I got a lot of texts from people in the tennis world that were just rooting for me. I wanted to do it for myself, but also for all these people.

"Some girls in the locker room were coming up to me and really wishing me good luck which doesn't normally happen.

"It showed me that most people have my opinion and they were just maybe scared to speak out."

Bouchard faces Angelique Kerber in the third round, with the German set to reclaim the world number one spot from Serena Williams, whose pregnancy has ruled her out for the rest of the year.

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