'Where have you been?': Retirement on hold as emotional Bouchard wins first match in 680 days

Eugenie Bouchard couldn't believe it when she got over the finish line in Montreal. (Getty/Minas Panagiotakis)

Former world No.5 Eugenie Bouchard has prolonged her farewell tour for at least one more match following her three-set triumph at Montreal's National Bank Open.

Bouchard, who announced that her home tournament in Montreal would be her last dance before retirement, completed a memorable night under the lights on Centre Court against Emiliana Arango to win 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

The former Wimbledon runner-up wiped away tears as she came to terms with her first singles win at Canada's WTA 1000 event since 2016, and her first WTA tour-level win since September 2023.

"I didn't know what to expect," Bouchard admitted. "I woke up this morning just telling myself, 'Look, I can't control the result. I just want to have a good attitude, have good fight, and try feel good with my shots, feel good with my game.'

"No matter what happens, I wanted to walk off the court having enjoyed that kind of gritty battle, and it definitely turned into one of those battles. I enjoyed every second of it."

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The 31-year-old also revealed, "If I win this tournament, I will not retire."

A daunting task awaits her in the round of 64 against Wimbledon semi-finalist Belinda Bencic.

One day earlier on the men's side in Toronto, former world No.25 Vasek Pospisil featured in his last competitive match on the ATP tour.

The Canadian veteran, who is the co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) alongside Novak Djokovic, bowed out in three sets to Facundo Bagnis.

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