Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard cruises to the third round of the ongoing 105^th edition of the Australian Open after a hard-fought straight-set 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory over China's Peng Shuai at the Hisense Arena in the city of Melbourne on Wednesday.

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Bouchard, who reached the semifinal round of the ongoing Grand Slam event three years ago, wrapped up the match after an hour and 29 minutes. The 22-year-old native of Montreal, Quebec overcame the early challenge rendered by the Chinese tennis ace in the opening set and sailed away with the win in the second game with ease.

It was Bouchard's second consecutive triumph over Peng in their two official meetings since the Indian Wells in 2014. The 31-year-old Chinese tennis star currently ranks 83^rd in the world. She reaches the second round of the competition after defeating the 19-year-old Russian Daria Kasatkina in the first round.

According to the event's official website, Peng showed some resistance and put on a good show in the second set after the Chinese seasoned tennis player blasted three straight winners to erase all three match points and won five points in a row to break back for 5-2.

However, Bouchard immediately bounced back and promptly reached 15-40 in the next game as the 31-year-old native of Xiangtan's game broke down. The Canadian sealed the match with a forehand return winner.

Basing from the published report of the Daily Mail, Bouchard will be playing Coco Vandeweghe of the United States in the third round of the prestigious Grand Slam tennis event for a quarterfinals berth.

Vandeweghe defeated Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier in two straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), in their respective second round duel.

Bouchard owns a 1-0 edge in her head to head matchup record against the 25-year-old Vandeweghe. Another victory could put her through to the last sixteen and have a chance to face the defending German champion Angelique Kerber, who again looked vulnerable before beating Carina Witthoeft in three sets.

Tagsaustralian open, Peng Shuai, Eugenie Bouchard, tennis, grand slam, wta rankings