Williams, Kerber could be headed for Wimbledon rematch at Rogers Cup

“This already feels like the second round of a Grand Slam.”

Friday’s draw was particularly good for the Canadians in the tournament, including Montreal’s Eugenie Bouchard (ranked No. 123 in the world).

The Westmount, Que., native avoided a top-10 player for at least the first two rounds.

She faces 15th-ranked Elise Mertens of Belgium in the first round, which will likely take place Monday at the newly named IGA Stadium. Bouchard would face either Shuai Zhang of China (No. 32) or a qualifier in the second round.

Bouchard’s half of the table does not have Serena or Venus Williams, Kerber, Maria Sharapova or world No. 1 Simona Halep.

The Canadian, who may be dealing with a thigh injury, will be looking for better results at the Rogers Cup. She’s 5-10 all-time on home soil. Her best result was two years ago when she made it to the quarter-finals.

“Mertens is a good challenge for Bouchard,” said Lapierre. “She’s having a good year, but I think Bouchard will be relatively happy with today’s draw. She’s in the bottom half of the draw. A good first-round match could give her a lot of momentum.”

Bouchard, who’s making her 11th appearance at the Rogers Cup, is one of three Canadians in the main draw. There are also five Canadians in the qualifying rounds, which begin Saturday.

Like Bouchard, Carol Zhao (No. 138 in the world) and Francoise Abanda (No. 193) were granted a wild card in the main draw.

Zhao of Richmond Hill, Ont., will face Kiki Bertens (No. 18) of the Netherlands in the first round while Montrealer Abanda plays against a qualifier.

Abanda, who was initially given a wild card to the qualifying session, was bumped up to the main draw Friday after Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., withdrew with a back injury.

“The world’s luckiest player today is Francoise Abanda,” said Lapierre. “She’s in the main draw and now she’s playing a qualifier in the first round. We’ll have to see Sunday who she plays exactly.”

The Romanian Halep, who was on hand at Friday’s draw, won the last time the women’s tournament was held in Montreal two years ago.

The 26-year-old has a first-round bye. She could face 14th-ranked Venus Williams in the third round.

“I have great memories from two years ago, winning the singles and playing the finals in doubles,” said Halep. “Every time I’m in Canada, especially here, I play good tennis. I’m looking forward to starting the tournament and trying to give my best.”

Other first-round highlights include Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (No. 108) against France’s Kristina Mladenovic (No. 57) while Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko (No. 11) takes on Great Britain’s Johanna Konta (No. 58).

Two Americans withdrew from the competition Friday due to injury: 12th-ranked Madison Keys (wrist) and 19th-ranked CoCo Vandeweghe (ankle).

Notes: Former Olympians Alexandre Bilodeau (freestyle skiing), Charles Hamelin (speed skating) and Roseline Filion (diving) attended Friday’s draw.

Kelsey Patterson, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Williams, Kerber could be headed for Wimbledon rematch at Rogers Cup

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