Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Canadian Fed Cup play off hopes have been deflated by the loss of national No. 1 Eugenie Bouchard, again becoming an injury victim at a most unfortunate time. The former Wimbledon finalist now ranked 46th after a slide in form through 2015, cannot play against Slovakia in Bratislava due to the abdominal injury she suffered in Charleston last week.

Bouchard’s place on the weakened visiting side will be taken by 17-year-old Charlotte Robillard-Millette, who joins a young and  untried team comprising Françoise Abanda, Sharon Fichman and experienced Aleksandra Wozniak, whose career has been limited in the last few seasons after shoulder surgery,

“I’m disappointed that I won’t be a part of the team, I was looking forward to defending my country’s colors and joining my teammates in Slovakia,” Bouchard said. “However, I need to take the time to heal my injury. I wish our team the best of luck.”

Bouchard quit her second-round Charleston match, retiring early in the third set against Spain’s Lourdes Domeniquez-Lino.

Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.