August 17, 2006

Stephanie Dubois - Tennis Canada

Dubois' Dream Ends

Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia put an end to Quebecer Stéphanie Dubois' dream run at the Rogers Cup, winning 6-3, 6-2 in the third round.

Srebotnik advances to Friday's quarter-final where she confronts 13th seed Ana Ivanovic, who advanced after her compatriot Jelena Jankovic pulled out.

"I've learned a lot during this tournament," said Dubois. "I noticed that my serve needs to be stronger and more precise. Still, I played my best match of the tournament this week. I think I belonged on court. I'm aiming to be ranked in the Top 100 within six months to one year and in the top 50 within two years."

In the bottom half of the draw, Russian Anna Chakvetadze, who upset third seeded fellow Russian Nadia Petrova earlier in the week, was the first player to secure a berth in the quarters with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Nathalie Dechy of France.

The highest ranked player still alive in Montreal, fourth seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, moved into the quarter-finals by eliminating Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-2, 7-6(6).

Also moving on is ninth seed Dinara Safina of Russia, who ousted American Shenay Perry 7-5, 6-3. She next takes on Australian Nicole Pratt, who advanced to the quarters after her opponent, Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic, pulled out with tendonitis in her shoulder.