Canadian veteran Rebecca Marino advanced in the U.S. Open women’s singles qualifying rounds by defeating France’s Fiona Fero 6-1, 6-4. The Vancouver native, aged 35, showcased a strong performance with eight aces and breaking Fero four times out of six opportunities.
Having successfully navigated the qualifiers last year, Marino is aiming for a repeat as she prepares to face Russia’s Elena Pridankina in the upcoming match. Joining her in the next round is fellow Canadian Carson Branstine, who secured a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory against Clervie Ngounoue from the United States. Branstine’s next opponent will be Linda Fruhvirtova from Czechia, while Kayla Cross from London, Ont., faced a defeat of 6-1, 6-1 against Robin Montgomery of the U.S.
Looking ahead, Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., was scheduled to compete against Eva Vedder from the Netherlands later on Monday.
In the men’s category, Alexis Galarneau from Levis, Que., progressed to the second qualifying round by defeating Keegan Smith of the United States with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3. His next challenge will be against Czechia’s Dalibor Svrcina.
Switching to mixed doubles, the second-seeded team comprising Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara faced an upset, losing 2-4, 4-1, 10-8 to Kristina Mladenovic from France and Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador in the opening round of qualifiers. Dabrowski is also set to participate in the women’s doubles event at the U.S. Open, aiming to replicate her success from last year alongside former partner Erin Routliffe, where they clinched their second U.S. Open title in three years.