Canadian veteran Rebecca Marino advanced in the U.S. Open women’s singles qualifying rounds with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over France’s Fiona Fero. The 35-year-old from Vancouver showcased her prowess with eight aces and capitalized on four out of six break opportunities.
Marino successfully navigated through last year’s qualifiers at the U.S. Open but was eliminated in the first round by compatriot Leylah Fernandez. Her next challenge will be against Russia’s Elena Pridankina in the upcoming three-round qualifying competition.
Another Canadian, Carson Branstine, secured her spot in the next round after defeating Clervie Ngounoue from the United States with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (3). Branstine’s next opponent will be Linda Fruhvirtova from Czechia. Unfortunately, Kayla Cross from London, Ont., suffered a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Robin Montgomery of the U.S.
Former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, Ont., was scheduled to play against Eva Vedder of the Netherlands later in the day.
In the men’s category, Alexis Galarneau from Levis, Que., progressed to the second qualifying round after defeating Keegan Smith from the United States with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3. Galarneau’s next matchup will be against Dalibor Svrcina from Czechia.
In the mixed doubles qualifying rounds, the second-seeded team comprising Gabriela Dabrowski from Ottawa and Harri Heliovaara from Finland faced an unexpected defeat against Kristina Mladenovic from France and Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador with a score of 2-4, 4-1, 10-8.
Dabrowski is also anticipated to participate in the women’s doubles event at the U.S. Open. She clinched the title last year alongside former partner Erin Routliffe, marking their second U.S. Open victory in three years.