|Photo: Neena Channan
The quarter-finals of the 2019 Tevlin Challenger are set following an action packed second round on Thursday. Part of the ITF Women’s Circuit, the Tevlin Challenger offers $60,000 in total prize money and is being played on the courts of Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.
Top seed Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium advanced to the last eight after a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Hungary’s Fanny Stollar, who had beaten Canadian Raphaelle Lacasse in the first round. Francesca Di Lorenzo (No. 2) of the United States joined Flipkens in the next round following a hard-fought three-setter which saw her defeat Mirjam Bjorklund of Sweden 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Meanwhile, Bibiane Schoofs (No. 3) of the Netherlands did not have it all her own way against Ulrikke Eikeri of Norway, losing the first set 6-7(5). The 31-year-old was able to muster a strong comeback, though, closing out the second and third sets 6-1, 6-0 respectively.
Canadians Francoise Abanda (Montreal, QC) and Jada Bui (Toronto, ON) both saw their Tevlin Challenger campaigns come to an end. Abanda, who had overcome fourth seed Sachia Vickery in round one, was unable to continue after suffering a shoulder injury having lost the first set 6-2 against Indy De Vroome of the Netherlands, while Bui lost a difficult match 6-3, 7-6(3) to France’s Jessika Ponchet (No. 6).
Seventh seed Elitsa Kostova secured her place in the quarter-finals with an assured 6-3, 6-3 win over Great Britain’s Naomi Broady, while Samantha Murray claimed a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Hayley Carter. Catherine Harrison of the United States also advanced following a 6-4, 6-1 triumph over Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands.
In doubles, two quarter-finals were walkovers as Abanda’s injury forced her match, which she was due to play alongside Vickey, against Robin Anderson and Ponchet (No. 4) was cancelled. Fellow Canadian Mia Kupres’ left ankle injury also ensured her and Marina Stakusic’s match against Harrison and Peangtarn Plipuech was called off.
Compatriots Leylah Annie Fernandez and Melodie Collard were able to book their place in Friday’s semi-final with an upset victory over second seeds Stollar and Schoofs, whilst Emina Bektas and Tara Moore secured their spot in the final four with a 6-3, 6-7(4) [11-11] Ret. win over Broady and Carter (No. 1).
(Feature photo: Neena Channan)