Canadian veteran Rebecca Marino took a significant step towards securing a spot in the U.S. Open women’s singles main draw by defeating France’s Fiona Fero 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of qualifying on Monday. The 35-year-old player from Vancouver showcased a strong performance with eight aces and breaking Fero four times out of six opportunities.
Marino successfully navigated through the qualifying rounds last year at the same tournament but was eventually eliminated in the first round by compatriot Leylah Fernandez. Her next challenge will be against Russia’s Elena Pridankina in the upcoming round of the qualifying tournament.
In other Canadian tennis news, Carson Branstine also advanced after defeating Clervie Ngounoue from the United States with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (3). Branstine is now set to face off against Linda Fruhvirtova from Czechia. Unfortunately, Kayla Cross from London, Ontario, suffered a defeat with a score of 6-1, 6-1 against Robin Montgomery from the U.S.
Meanwhile, Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ontario, was scheduled to compete against Eva Vedder from the Netherlands later on Monday.
In the men’s category, Alexis Galarneau from Levis, Quebec, progressed to the second round of qualifying after defeating Keegan Smith from the United States with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3. His next opponent will be Dalibor Svrcina from Czechia.
Additionally, in the mixed doubles qualifying round, the second-seeded team consisting of Gabriela Dabrowski from Ottawa and Harri Heliovaara from Finland faced an unexpected defeat against Kristina Mladenovic from France and Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador with a score of 2-4, 4-1, 10-8.
Dabrowski is also anticipated to participate in the women’s doubles event at the U.S. Open. She clinched the title at last year’s tournament alongside her former partner Erin Routliffe, marking their second U.S. Open championship triumph in three years.
