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MONTREAL -- Theyve composed chants just for Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, roared for her until they went hoarse, and toasted her wins by fudging their way through "O Canada." Meet the "Genie Army" -- a dozen boisterous Aussies who, despite boasting zero connection to Canada, have become Bouchards unofficial cheerleaders at the Australian Open. Members of the weeks-old squad have jumped, danced and serenaded their way into an unmistakable grandstand presence during the Montreal teens impressive run at the event, where she has earned a semifinal spot Thursday. The devotees, mostly men in their 20s, have also fashioned red-and-white T-shirts that spell out Bouchards name, flapped banners for her during matches, and lobbed plush animals -- each of them native to Australia -- to her on the court following each of her victories. Though they have had little face-to-face interaction with Bouchard, they have certainly commanded her attention in Melbourne. "The crowd here has been amazing, especially the Genie Army," Bouchard, 19, said Tuesday during an on-court interview after beating Ana Ivanovic. She then pointed up to her noisy, personal cheering section. "Ive had so much fun. Thank you guys." The inspiration behind a brigade dedicated to Bouchard came after a bunch of Australian buddies watched her upset Ivanovic last year at Wimbledon, said one of the Army members. In December, as the Australian Open approached, Jacob Wright said the crew decided to become her own booster club, so they started making shirts and penning Bouchard chants. The Genie Army was born. "Shes just a great tennis player," Wright, 20, told The Canadian Press in a Skype interview from Melbourne. "Obviously, shes a good-looking girl as well, and were young guys, but she is a really good tennis player. Its really, really good fun to watch." Their movement has had nothing to do with patriotism, either. When asked whether any of them had a connection to Canada, he replied: "None of us." Wright said they caught Bouchards attention during her first-round match, which was held on a more-intimate court that brings fans closer to the players. Six of them showed up for the event and were lucky enough to have their photos taken with Bouchard, get her autograph, and exchange a few words with their favourite player after the victory. The Genie Army nation was thrilled, Wright added, when Bouchard later told an interviewer she hoped they would show up for her next match. They havent missed one since -- and their ranks have doubled to about 12. Wright said it has been a bit of a give-and-take relationship, with Bouchard thanking her believers in interviews and by making gestures, such as posting a couple of photos of them on her Twitter feed. The connection likely hit its only bumpy patch on Tuesday when she was asked in a post-match interview about who she would like to date, if she could choose anyone in the world. An embarrassed Bouchard, who appeared to be taken off guard by the question, blurted out the name of Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. In TV footage, members of the Genie Army were shown waving off her choice. They remain committed, however, to backing Bouchard for the long haul, even if they initially didnt expect it to last. Wright admitted they never predicted Bouchard, the tournaments 30th seed, would advance to the semifinal, but theyve enjoyed the longer-than-expected ride. Bouchard, in fact, became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 30 years. "My voice doesnt usually sound like this, Im pretty husky from a week of just full-on yelling as loud as I can," said Wright, who was wearing a white T-shirt with a red Maple Leaf and a Bouchard autograph. "But yeah, weve just been yelling, chanting -- and overall the response from the crowds been really good." He said group members have also been surprised by the notoriety theyve amassed throughout the tournament, growing so big that they have been interviewed by media outlets and have frequently been asked to pose for photos with other fans. "Well be standing there for 20 minutes or something (after matches)," said Wright, whose group has an online presence on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, where .GenieArmy was trending after Tuesdays win. "Its getting really full of fun." But their primary mission has not changed since Day 1: support Bouchard. During her matches, the crew can be heard belting out custom chants from the bleachers, including a fight song usually reserved for when she first steps onto the hardcourt. "We are the Army, the Genie Army, and we are mental, and we are mad," a clapping Wright chanted as he began a demonstration of the mantra. The gang has even sung the Canadian national anthem, though Wright admits only a couple of them know the words. The first time they attempted "O Canada," he said they received some welcome help from Canadian fans in the crowd. "We started it off, but then we had a lot of Canadians around us, so they sort of finished it off for us," Wright said. "It wasnt a very good rendition." Luke Jackson Jersey . Its been two seasons in one for both parties and neither will look back on the first 18 games fondly. "I think I took the fall for a lot of things," said Gay, reflecting on his short time in Toronto ahead of Wednesdays game against his former club. Nick Markakis Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. https://www.cheapbraves.com/463o-max-fri...sey-braves.html. -- Canadas Justin Shin shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday on PGA Wests Nicklaus Tournament Course to take the first-round lead in the Web. Jerry Blevins Braves Jersey . Off-season additions Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley did not train with the club today, prompting Nelsen to declare its too early to tell if either will be ready for Saturday. Bryse Wilson Jersey . Sopoaga hit the upright with his first shot at goal from 15 metres. He then kicked nine goals in succession -- two conversions and seven penalties -- before being replaced in the 62nd minute, three points short of the Highlanders record for most points in a match.CINCINNATI - Jeremy Hill looked around as he walked off the field slowly.The rookies first big game had just pulled the Bengals through a sloppy day all-around, and he was making sure to take it all in.Hill ran for a career-high 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns on Sunday, including a 60-yarder in the fourth quarter that helped the Cincinnati Bengals hold on for a 33-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.With the Bengals backfield depleted and their offence struggling, Hill made the plays that pulled them through. Then he made sure to enjoy it.Soaking it all in, man, he said, still in full uniform long after the game ended. You never know when youre going to get another opportunity like that. Its the opportunity of a lifetime.Andy Dalton threw a pair of touchdown passes, one of them to A.J. Green in the Pro Bowl receivers return from a toe injury, but also had a pair of interceptions that kept it close.The Jaguars (1-8) turned Daltons second interception into Denard Robinsons 5-yard touchdown run, cutting it to 26-23. Hill broke his 60-yard touchdown run on Cincinnatis next play from scrimmage and finished with the most yards by a Bengals running back in five years.Hill started for the first time because Giovani Bernard was out with shoulder and hip injuries.We challenged him, Dalton said. We knew he was going to get a lot of carries with Gio out. He answered and had played pretty well. Even besides that 60-yard run, he was having a really good day. Im sure this is one hell remember for a long time.Rookie Blake Bortles, who leads the NFL in interceptions, helped the Bengals put it away by throwing an interception to George Iloka in the end zone with 3:55 left.I tried to throw it out of the end zone, said Bortles, who was 22 of 33 for 247 yards with a pair of touchdown passes to Allen Hurns. It wasnt what I wanted. It didnt come out of my hand great.Jacksonville was headed directly from Cincinnati to London, England, where the Jaguars will play the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.The Bengals held onto first place in the AFC North despite a sloppy game. They host intrastate rival Cleveland on Thursday night and will need to play better than they did against a one-win team.ddddddddddddWe didnt play as well as we should, receiver Mohamed Sanu said. Everybody knows we can play a lot better.Dalton was 19 of 31 for 233 yards with two interceptions and two sacks. He had a 19-yard touchdown pass to Sanu that put the Bengals ahead to stay in the second quarter. While Green was sidelined for three games by an injured big right toe, Sanu developed into the Bengals top playmaker.Sanu had four catches for 95 yards on Sunday, including an over-the-shoulder catch for a 33-yard gain in the first half. He held on for a 36-yard gain on the opening drive of the second half despite being levelled by Josh Evans, setting up Hills 1-yard touchdown run for a 19-3 lead.Green could have had a 12-yard touchdown catch in the first half, but it was nullified because he lined up beyond the line of scrimmage. Green finished with three catches for 44 yards in limited plays.The Jaguars had trouble getting off punts in the first half. One of Bryan Angers kicks was deflected, giving the Bengals good field position. Mike Nugents 31-yard field goal made it 10-3.Jacksonville went three-and-out on its next possession, and Taylor Mays blocked Angers kick out of the end zone for a safety.The Bengals honoured Mount St. Joseph basketball player Lauren Hill, who played her first game across town on Sunday despite an inoperable brain tumour. They showed her basket on the videoboard during a timeout. Defensive tackle Devon Still wore her name on his eye black strips, and left tackle Andrew Whitworth had her No. 22 on his gloves.Notes: Bengals right tackle Andre Smith sprained his left ankle in the first half, returned before halftime but sat out the second half. Cornerback Leon Hall was being evaluated for a concussion in the second half. Hill missed a series in the first half after twisting his left knee. ... Jaguars guard Brandon Linder (shoulder), Evans (shoulder) and linebacker Jeremiah George (sprained ankle) left the game and didnt return. ... Hills 154 yards were the most by a Bengals running back since Cedric Benson ran for 198 yards in a 45-10 win over Chicago on Oct. 25, 2009.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '