The idol and her devotee

Before Bouchard was GENIE, and Sharapova wasn't quite MARIA, they shared this moment in Miami. PHOTO: INTERNET

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard will bid for a first ever appearance in a Grand Slam final when she takes on childhood idol Maria Sharapova in the French Open semifinals on Thursday.
The 20-year-old from Montreal, who is the first Canadian woman to make the semifinals in Paris, admits she used to look up to her Russian opponent.
"I have a picture with her when I was I think seven or eight years old. I guess that would be the first time [they met]. I think it was in Miami," said the bilingual blonde about the photo which has been circulating on social media.
The photo shows a shy Bouchard, in a blue T-shirt and shorts, being dwarfed by a 15-year-old Sharapova who is dressed in a prim white tennis dress.
"Yeah, I mean, you know, I looked up to her for sure."
Sharapova has beaten Bouchard in their two meetings including at Roland Garros 12 months ago. She came back from a set down to defeat Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 and reach the last four.