Full day for Eugenie Bouchard in Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. –  Genie Bouchard said she can't quite put her finger on exactly why the WTA Tour event in Charleston is a tournament she always looks forward to coming back to, but the warm Southern hospitality, intimate club atmosphere and the success she has had here in the past are definitely contributing factors.

A year ago, the 22-year-old Canadian didn't get past the first round. But in her fourth consecutive appearance, she has a quarter-final run (from the qualifying) in 2013 and a semi-final effort in 2014 to create a positive base.

Her first day in Charleston this year was jam-packed.

The first practice, and the first appearance by former coach Nick Saviano, who is here with her this week, was a practice match against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.

Normally, Bouchard isn't the greatest practice player. Perhaps she needs for something to be on the line. But she was striking the ball sweetly, moving beautifully and was all over her former junior rival.

Here's what it looked like.

The two chatted amiably during changeovers, which was a hilarious sight for anyone who has followed Bouchard through her career.

Four years ago, when both were still 17, they met in the semi-finals of the Australian Open juniors. It was one of those heat-soaked affairs where you knew someone was going to wilt and in this case it was Bouchard, who was severely dehydrated and pretty green around the gills. Meanwhile, Putintseva, who's always up for a bit of gamesmanship, was fist pumping and "C'MON!!"-ing in three languages (sometimes with all three in the same C'mon-Allez-Davai!!!!!") every time Bouchard made an error.

A crowd had gathered for the practice, and Bouchard signed and selfie'd her way off the court.

Next up was a one-hour promotional activity inside the main stadium for USANA, the WTA Tour's official supplement. Bouchard demonstrated her cross-court backhand, and Keys her powerful serve, with the help of some pretty game kids in the the audience. Mostly, it was an opportunity for the two players to pitch the product a little bit. They also signed a few hundred autographs for the kids.

Right after that, wearing the same outfit – the stretch pants are on life-sized posters everywhere – Bouchard hit the practice court again with hitting partner Cyril Saulnier.

They went over their scheduled hour; again, Bouchard was hitting and moving at top level.

The Canadian's first-round match against Alexandra Dulgheru won't be until Tuesday.