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Time for the Genie Army to start chanting some Taylor Swift, Eugenie Bouchard says

 

It's the second week of the Australian Open now, and the Army is going to have to step up its game. (Stephanie Myles/opencourt.ca)
It's the second week of the Australian Open now, and the Army is going to have to step up its game. (Stephanie Myles/opencourt.ca)

MELBOURNE – The Genie Army, already an impressive act in its maiden appearance at last year's Australian Open, has returned this year bigger and better, with a few new tunes and an upgraded wardbrobe.

But now that the object of their support is in the quarter-finals, preparing to play Maria Sharapova on Tuesday, she has a request.

"I was thinking about it, because I really want them to start singing some Taylor Swift. Hopefully they will see this and maybe work on it. That would be really cool," Bouchard said after her win over Irina-Camelia Begu Sunday. "Maybe I'll ask them to do that. I'll be really motivated if they do that. Like if I'm down, start singing Taylor Swift and I'll be motivated."

Here's an idea, for starters, although converting that to tennis will be a challenge on such a short turnaround.

Bouchard likes the "Genie's hot, HOT, HOT" chant. And she likes the new song, sung to the tune of "Living la Vida Loca."

"They changed the words and sing about me. I think that one's pretty cool. They are creative to come up with such a random song and talk about forehands and backhands and stuff. It's pretty funny. So that one is up there," she said.

She's focused, but when there's something new, Bouchard notices.

"I know when they start I'll go like, 'Okay, it's this song.' Like I know the beginning of it and I'm like, 'okay, I'm ready for the song,' " she said. "When I hear a new one, I'm like, 'Oh, that's nice.' They been working hard. Good to see I'm not the only one working hard."

Come Tuesday, will the Army have gotten the hint and done their bit? Against Maria Sharapova, ranked No. 2 in the world and against whom Bouchard has won just one set in three tries, she's going to need any extra motivation she can get.