Canadian Rogers Cup Success Continues in Toronto

August 11, 2007 - The 2007 Rogers Cup presented by American Express is off and running, thanks to a day filled with plenty of exciting qualifying action.

Playing in front of the hometown fans at Rexall Centre on Saturday, Toronto’s Sharon Fichman and Ekaterina Shulaeva of Oakville, Ontario advanced to the second round of qualifying at the Rogers Cup presented by American Express.

In the first match of the day on centre court, Shulaeva upset Argentina’s Jorgelina Cravero, ranked No.115 in the world 7-5, 7-6(4) and will next take on Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan who defeated Canadian Fed Cup team member Valerie Tetreault 6-2, 6-2 in her opening contest.

Fichman closed out an exciting first day of action in emphatic fashion, disposing of France’s Stephanie Cohen-Aloro in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(4). The 16-year old will face Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia on Sunday for a chance to earn a berth in the main draw of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tier I event.

“I’m really having fun out there, I’m definitely stronger mentally and more confident in myself, so I feel good about my game,” Fichman analyzed after her match.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Dabrowski, the recently crowned U18 national champion had the opportunity to showcase her skills at one of tennis’ premier events, falling 6-0, 6-3 to talented Dane Caroline Wozniacki. Montreal’s Melanie Gloria was also in tough against top-seeded American Laura Granville, falling 6-2, 6-0 to the fellow NCAA college standout.       

Several other players from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour were in action today in the hopes of claiming a spot in the main draw.  Here are their results:

Angelika Bachmann GER d. (23) Youlia Fedossova FRA 6-3, 7-6(3)
Varvara Lepchenko UZB d. (3) Angelique Kerber GER 1-6, 6-0, 6-0
(17) Tzipora Obziler ISR d. Stephanie Foretz FRA 6-2, 6-4
(4) Dominika Cibulkova SVK d. Jamea Jackson USA 6-1, 6-3
(18) Greta Arn GER d. Anne Keothavong GBR 6-3, 6-0
(6) Maria Elena Camerin ITA d. Katie O’Brien GBR 6-4, 6-0
Selima Sfar TUN d. (24) Alberta Brianti ITA 6-2, 7-6(6)
(13) Jelena Kostanic Tosic CRO d. Tiantian Sun CHN 6-4, 6-3
Hana Sromova CZE d. (19) Olga Savchuk UKR 6-2, 6-4
(14) Iveta Benesova CZE d. (WC) Mallory Cecil 6-4, 6-3
Zi Yan CHN d. (10) Virginia Ruano Pascual ESP 7-5, 6-4
Galina Voskoboeva RUS d. (20) Sara Errani ITA 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
(11) Flavia Pennetta ITA d. Mathilde Johansson FRA 6-4, 6-4
(21) Jarmila Gajdosova SVK d. Julia Schruff GER 7-6(3), 6-4
(12) Ioana Raluca Olaru ROU d. Eva Birnerova CZE 6-2, 6-1

Second round of qualifying starts on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at Rexall Centre. 

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