(Ilkley) Canadians Rebecca Marino and Marina Stakusic made a successful debut at the women’s tennis tournament in Ilkley, Great Britain, on Tuesday morning. But it wasn’t easy for everyone.
Marino, which points to 144e world level, came from behind to take the measure of the American Mccartney Kessler 4-6, 6-3 and 6-3 after an hour and 49 minutes of play in this ITF tournament presented on the lawn.
For his part, Stakusic, who occupies 179e ranked in the world, was much more expeditious, getting rid of the Polish Katarzyna Kawa 6-1, 6-3 in just 63 minutes.
PHOTO MANU FERNANDEZ, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Marina Stakusic
Marino was slightly more effective than Kessler, 122e in the world, serving, and she was able to convert four of her eight break points. Kessler was not to be outdone, as she broke the Canadian twice on as many occasions.
The British Columbian will face in the next round the winner of the match between the Slovakian Renata Jamrichova, a left-hander who occupies the 556e world rank, and the British Ranah Akua Stoiber, 678e.
For her part, Stakusic will meet in the next round with Australian Taylah Preston, sixth seed, who worked hard before ousting American Elizabeth Mandlik 4-6, 7-5 and 6-1.
On the men’s side, Montrealer Gabriel Diallo is scheduled to begin his tournament in Ilkley a little later today, against Frenchman Titouan Droguet.