PARIS – Eugenie Bouchard could downplay expectations. Nobody would blame her. Shes only 20-years-old after all and playing in just her second French Open. But when asked what would need to happen to make her campaign at Roland Garros this season a success, Canadas rising star doesnt hold back. "To win it," Bouchard said, her own boldness yielding a laugh. But, make no mistake, she is dead serious. "I always expect high things of myself and Ive been working so hard for so many years that nothing is a real surprise to me and I have big ambitions in tennis. I want to achieve great things." Bouchard certainly isnt lacking confidence. She showed that during a magical run to the Australian Open semifinals in January. But Bouchard has a specific reason to have a hop in her step these days. On Saturday, she beat Karolina Pliskova in the championship match of the Nuremberg Cup, earning her first career WTA title. "Just so happy," said Bouchard describing the emotions in the moments after match point. "To go to a city and leave and not lose a match and win all the matches is something special." Bouchard almost didnt play in the tournament. Most top players will not travel to an event in the week before a grand slam choosing instead to rest, practice and arrive at the venue early. But after disappointing first-round straight-set losses at tune-up events in Madrid (v No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska) and Rome (v No. 61 Francesca Schiavone) Bouchard was convinced that playing more was the best way to prep for the seasons second major. "We were debating whether to even come to Nuremberg and I said, You know what? I want to play matches. I want to keep trying and keep working. We got here early and practiced. It was pretty cold early in the week, it was tough practices, tough conditions, but I kept working hard and Im proud of myself for that. When you work hard good things happen. I think thats what happened this week." That Bouchards first career championship came on clay is a bit of a surprise. It is not her favourite surface. "My game is pretty aggressive, so I like to step in and control the point and the clay just slows it up a little bit, but its a good thing. It teaches me patience ... sometimes Im not so patient. "It adds different dimensions to your game and if I can perform well on clay it will show myself that I can have a well-rounded game." Last year Bouchards run at the French Open ended in the second round at the hands of eventual finalist Maria Sharapova. It was a tough loss (6-2, 6-4), but one that made the Montreal native stronger. "I think it helps for sure. I got to play on centre court, experienced a rain delay, my match was over two days and its all part of the experience. I always enjoy the chance to play one of the great players and I always learn so much. Ive learned from that match." Bouchard wont have to deal with Sharapova or any other top name early in the tournament this time around. Thats one of the perks of being the 18th seed. Bouchard will open against 86th ranked Israeli Shahar Peer, who has lost all three matches to the Canadian in her career including one in March (6-2, 6-2 in Acapulco). Waiting in the second round should Bouchard advance will be either German Julia Goerges or Portugals Michelle Larcher De Brito. Both are outside the top 100 in the latest rankings. The third round is when things may get tougher as No. 12 Flavia Pennetta would be a formidable roadblock, but far from unbeatable. But first things first: Bouchard needs to get settled in France. One negative repercussion from playing in the week before a slam is that it makes for a tight turnaround. There was a 90-minute flight from Nuremberg to Paris on Saturday night followed by a practice on Sunday. Bouchards match against Peer is set for Monday. Although theres actually a chance the short rest time may be a good thing. "I always like playing matches so, for me, the more I can play the better. I can get in a rhythm of playing competitive matches and I think it gives me extra confidence." Extra confidence? Not a fun thought for those in Bouchards section of the draw. Fake Bruins Jerseys . -- John Fox will coach the Denver Broncos from the sideline and not the booth upon his return Sunday five weeks after heart surgery. Custom Boston Bruins Jerseys . Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building. https://www.cheapbruins.com/ . This was one of them. Omar Infante homered and tied a career high with six RBIs to carry the Kansas City Royals over the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 on Sunday. Boston Bruins Pro Shop . The alleged sexual assault is believed to have happened over the weekend of Feb. 1, when the hockey team was in Thunder Bay for two games against Lakehead University. The criminal investigation branch of the Thunder Bay Police Service is leading the investigation with help from Ottawa police. Bruins Jerseys China . The Toronto Argonauts signed the veteran linebacker to a three-year deal Tuesday, hours after the start of CFL free agency.No other team in the league has experienced more uncertainty at quarterback the past few years than the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Buck Pierces time was marred by several injuries while none from the cast of backups, from Alex Brink and Joey Elliott to Max Hall, Justin Goltz, and Jason Boltus, managed to distinguish themselves during their opportunities for the team. Even the Ottawa Redblacks, not yet having played a game, appear better set behind centre. Compared to some of Winnipegs rotation of quarterbacks the past couple seasons, the expansion team has an embarrassment of riches at the position with veterans Henry Burris and Kevin Glenn, and two-year pro Thomas DeMarco. With the trade and subsequent contract extension for former Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Drew Willy, Bombers GM Kyle Walters is hoping all his QB problems are in the past. After losing out to Zach Collaros and Hennry Burris just days before, Walters finally landed a QB to be penciled in atop his depth chart heading into the 2014 season; but will Willy stay there, and more importantly, will he find success where so many before him have faltered? The 27-year-old is light on experience, having started just two games in his career behind Darian Durant in Saskatchewan, but has shown potential in his limited action.dddddddddddd Willy threw just 52 passes last season, going for 473 yards and four touchdowns to just one interception. He saw a little more action last year, his first in the league, and for his career is 101-147 for 1,182 yards and nine touchdowns to five interceptions. His resume is light, but theres enough to get excited about with the Buffalo product. The Rouge asks: Is Drew Willy the answer at quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '