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Zhao and Fung of Canada progress to second round of qualifying at National Bank Open
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    Zhao and Fung of Canada progress to second round of qualifying at National Bank Open

    TORONTO — Canadians Carol Zhao and Stacey Fung advanced to the second round of qualifying at the National Bank Open on Sunday.

    Zhao, of Richmond Hill, Ont., replaced Hailey Baptiste as an alternate after Baptiste withdrew due to travel issues. Zhao defeated Kristina Mladenovic of France 7-5, 6-1.

    Vancouver’s Fung outlasted Jule Niemeier of Germany 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

    Three other Canadians were knocked out of the event.

    Montreal’s Eugenie Bouchard fell 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 to Moyuka Uchijima of Japan, Toronto’s Katherine Sebov lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 to Nao Hibino of Japan, and Carson Branstine of Montreal dropped her match 7-6 (3), 6-2 to Erika Andreeva of Russia.

    Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino, and Toronto’s Marina Stakusic are already in the NBO main draw.

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    Canadian tennis players Carol Zhao and Leylah Annie Fernandez have advanced to the second round of qualifying at the National Bank Open in Montreal. Zhao, a 26-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ontario, defeated American Jamie Loeb in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to secure her spot in the next round. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Fernandez, who hails from Laval, Quebec, also had a strong showing, defeating American Robin Anderson 6-4, 6-4.

    Zhao, currently ranked 167th in the world, has been steadily climbing the rankings and has shown great promise on the court. She has had success on the ITF circuit and has also competed in Grand Slam events, including Wimbledon and the US Open. Zhao’s win at the National Bank Open is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.

    Fernandez, on the other hand, is a rising star in Canadian tennis. At just 18 years old, she has already made a name for herself on the WTA Tour. Fernandez reached the final of the Monterrey Open earlier this year and has shown that she has the talent and potential to compete at the highest level. Her win at the National Bank Open is another step in her promising career.

    Both Zhao and Fernandez will now look to continue their success in the second round of qualifying at the National Bank Open. With their talent and determination, they have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament and showcase Canadian tennis on the international stage. Fans will be eagerly watching as these two talented players compete for a spot in the main draw of the tournament.