(Madrid) Eugenie Bouchard took advantage of Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo’s retirement as she led 6-1, 4-1 in the first round of qualifying for the Madrid Tennis Open on Monday to approach only one match away from earning a ticket to the main draw.
The Westmount native is now 1-2 in her career against Sorribes Tormo, who was attempting a comeback after recovering from a serious foot injury. The local favorite was the 13e seeded in the qualifying table.
The 29-year-old Quebecer will face American Elizabeth Mandlik, 147, in the next round.e racket in the world. They have never faced each other in their careers in the professional ranks.
The 2014 Wimbledon runner-up is trying to become the fourth Maple Leaf representative to make the main draw at the Madrid tournament, after Bianca Andreescu, Leylah Annie Fernandez and Rebecca Marino.
Andreescu, 23e Madrid’s top-seeded tournament earned a second-round bye, while Fernandez will face 15-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the first round, and Marino will face China’s Lin Zhu.
Bouchard, who points at 285e world level, lost in the second round of the tournament in Oeiras, Portugal, last week.
