Ariana Arseneault’s Road to the NBO lead grew at the Saguenay National Bank Challenger, while Reese Brantmeier of the United States doubled up at the W75 event.
Like last week in Quebec City, Arseneault was the only Canadian to reach the quarter-finals, but she had to defeat a few compatriots en route to the final eight. The 24-year-old beat her Saguenay doubles partner Raphaëlle Lacasse in round one, then upset third seed Katherine Sebov to reach the quarters.
Arseneault’s run continued thanks to her three-set win over eighth seed Sara Saito of Japan as the Richmond Hillian made her second-straight semifinal following Quebec City. Unfortunately for the Canuck, she couldn’t score back-to-back victories against Japanese players, falling to Yuki Naito in the semis.
However, Arseneault still sits comfortably atop of the Road to the NBO standings with 64 points through her first three domestic events. Emma Dong is in second with 30.
Brantmeier eventually hoisted the trophy in Saguenay, stunning world No. 70 and top seed Tatjana Maria on her way to the final. The 265th-ranked American defeated Naito 7-6(8), 7-6(7) to claim the title.
Brantmeier also produced an impressive title run in doubles alongside countrywoman Carson Tanguilig. The Americans took down second seeds Arseneault and Lacasse in their opening match and followed that up with a straight-sets win to make the quarter-finals. The pair then punched their ticket to the final with a victory over fourth seeds Hiromi Abe and Kisa Yoshioka of Japan in the semis.
For the title, Brantmeier and Tanguilig cruised in the first set before sealing the match in a tiebreaker, winning by a score of 6-2, 7-6(3).
Brantmeier has enjoyed her stay in Canada this fall, hoisting three of four trophies across Quebec City and Saguenay. The American will look to add another title or two at the W75 Tevlin Challenger in Toronto this week.
Feature Photo: Rocket Lavoie and Rémi Tremblay
