By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, January 6, 2015

It’s early in the season. It’s a meaningless match that doesn’t count for rankings points. All of that may be true but if you asked Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard how she felt about taking down a lackluster Serena Williams to the tune of just three games lost in Perth on Tuesday, she’d probably tell you the victory was exactly what she needed to give her a boost of confidence heading into the meat of the Australian Summer.

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In fact, read on, and you'll find that she said just that...

Bouchard’s 6-2, 6-1 victory over Williams took just 50 minutes. There was no mid-match coffee for Serena Williams, though maybe there should have been.

“Maybe she needed another coffee,” Bouchard said. “I know she definitely didn’t play her best. I know she can serve amazing, I’ve played against her before. I didn’t know what to expect so that actually made it tough.”

Bouchard, who has lost her two previous tour-level matches to Williams, is excited to be pointed in the right direction after a shaky finish in 2014.

“I think it’s a good way to start the year as well,” Bouchard said. “I didn’t end the year last year as I wanted to, so I really want to start strong. Matches like this help that.”

Bouchard struck 20 winners during the match to only 10 for Williams.

Williams, who arrived in Perth just a few days ago, appeared to be fatigued, served way below par, and look lethargic throughout the match.

Vasek Pospisil finished off the victory for the Canadians when he defeated John Isner, 6-3, 7-6(4) in the men’s singles.