Fall’s Canadian pro events keep rolling as the W75 Saguenay National Bank Challenger is underway.
Of the nine Canucks in the singles main draw, seven are in the bottom half. Kayla Cross entered as the second seed but was stunned by Ayana Akli of the United States in the only first-round match that took place on Monday. Cross, alongside American Anna Rogers, were also upset in doubles as the top seeds lost to Canadian teens Avery Alexander and Clémence Mercier in their opening match.
No. 3 seed Katherine Sebov now leads the Canadian field heading into Tuesday’s slate, with the Torontonian opening against Margaux Rouvroy of France.
Ariana Arseneault and Raphaëlle Lacasse went from Quebec City doubles finalists to Saguenay first-round opponents in a matter of a few days. The two meet for the first time at a World Tennis event, with the winner potentially taking on Sebov in round two.
Arseneault and Lacasse also teamed in doubles to defend last year's title, but the second seeds lost to Americans Reese Brantmeier and Carson Tanguilig in round one.
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Mercier looks to continue the theme of first-round upsets in Saguenay. The Saint-Roch-Ouest, QC-native faces fifth seed and Quebec City champion Kajsa Rinaldo Persson of Sweden in her opening match.
The top half is led by world No. 69 Tatjana Maria of Germany. The 39-year-old has won four-career WTA titles, including her biggest at the WTA 500 Queen’s Club last season. Maria now seeks her third trophy of the year in Saguenay as she opens against American qualifier Victoria Hu.
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Feature Photo: Mark Blinch/Wick Photography
