QUÉBEC CITY, September 12, 2017
Canadians Gabriela Dabrowski and Aleksandra Wozniak, as well as Océane Dodin of France kicked off the action to the 25th anniversary of the National Bank Cup presented by IGA on Monday.
Defending champion Dodin fought past Gabriela Dabrowski, who qualified for the main draw on Sunday, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4. Since capturing her first WTA title here in 2016, the 20-year-old Frenchwoman has continued to climb the rankings and currently sits at World No. 48. Dodin is seeded second in the tournament. She withstood 14 aces, hitting four of her own to prevail after one hour and 54 minutes.
“I feel at home, everyone speaks French, I get spoiled by the fans and the tournament, so it was a pleasure to win my first title here and now I am here to defend it!” Dodin said ahead of her first round encounter. She will next take on US-American qualifier Caroline Dolheide.
Wozniak Falls In Opening Round
Varvara Lepchenko
Wozniak has returned to Quebec City for the 13th time but fell in her opener to fifth-seeded US-American Varvara Lepchenko. Wozniak, who celebrated her 30th birthday a few days ago, has twice reached the semi-finals of the National Bank Cup, in 2008 and 2009. This time, however, the World No. 74 emerged victorious 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. The topsy-turvy match lasted one hour and 18 minutes.
The tournament’s No. 3 Timea Babos battled past Jamie Loeb from the United States 7-6, 5-7, 6-2. The 24-year-old from Hungary sent down 10 aces, winning 72 per cent of her first service points to prevail after two hours and 13 minutes. Babos will next face Noami Broady of Great Britain.
