Kayla Cross will look to return to the Tevlin Challenger final for the second time in three years as Toronto’s W75 event gets underway.
The London-native is the favourite in the Ontario capital, entering as the top seed, and is back at Sobeys Stadium for the first time since earning her maiden WTA Tour match win at this year’s National Bank Open presented by Rogers. Cross opens the Challenger against Swedish qualifier Linea Bajraliu on Wednesday.
In the same half of the draw is third seed Katherine Sebov, who is also back at Sobeys Stadium following her first NBO main-draw match victory in August. The Torontonian plays Sakura Hosogi of Japan in her opening match.
Rounding out the Canadians in the top half are 19-year-old Emma Dong, who meets eighth seed Hiromi Abe of Japan in round one, and Cross’ Billie Jean King Cup play-offs teammate Ariana Arseneault. The Richmond Hillian faces sixth seed Sara Saito of Japan in the first round and can only come up against Cross in the semifinals.
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The bottom half of the draw features a few of Canada’s top up-and-comers, two of which clash in round one as 16-year-old Avery Alexander battles fellow teen Clémence Mercier on Tuesday.
The winner between Alexander and Mercier could then play compatriot Andrea Cabio in the second round, if the 17-year-old can first upset fourth seed Valentina Ryser of Switzerland.
Teah Chavez is the only Canadian to emerge from qualifying after not dropping a set through her two matches. The Reginan’s opening match comes against fifth seed Carolyn Ansari of the United States.
In doubles, the top-two seeds feature at least one Canuck. Cross and American Anna Rogers are the top seeds. The pair awaits the winner of Alexander and Mercier versus Ayana Akli and Madison Sieg of the United States after receiving a first-round bye.
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Second seeds Arseneault and Raphaëlle Lacasse will have to play through round one, though. The Canadians open against June Bjork of Sweden and Ansari.
Feature Photo: Mark Blinch/Wick Photography
