Canada's Bouchard advances at Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Canadian Eugenie Bouchard survived a scare from a 431st-ranked challenger from China on Monday to reach the second round of the Australian Open, scoring a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Chen Tang Hao.

Bouchard, the 30th seed from Montreal, rode a roller-coaster in the one-hour opening set after earning a 3-1 lead, only to lose it a game later on a double-fault to her neophyte opponent.

Bouchard, recently named The Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year, was broken again to drop to 3-4 as Tang rifled back a return winner before holding for a 5-3 lead.

Bouchard saved set points in the ensuing game on Tang errors before finally earning a 7-5 win on a break.

The 19-year-old Bouchard was more in control in the second set and dominated to win the set 6-1.