Bouchard loses three-set heartbreaker, Fernandez advances in Mexico

TAMPICO, Mexico – Eugenie Bouchard of Montreal suffered a tough loss Tuesday night to Renata Zarazua of Mexico City in the W-T-A 125 Abierto Tampico tournament.

The 28-year-old Canadian was up 4-1 in the first set of her women’s singles match but lost 7-5. She then bounced back with an impressive 6-1 win in the second set, but dropped the third set 7-5, despite leading Zarazua at one point.

Zarazua had the lone ace in the two hour, 20-minute match. Bouchard had four double faults while her opponent had none.

Leylah Fernandez of Montreal was more fortunate, however, as she bounced American Elizabeth Mandlik in a later match to advance to the round of 16.

Fernandez outlasted Mandlik 7-6 (8) in a tense first set, and seemed to find another gear in the second with a 6-2 win.

Fernandez had five aces in the one hour, 58-minute match, including a decisive one with the score tied 40-40 in final game.

Rebecca Marino of Vancouver will play Wednesday against Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the round of 16. Marino bounced Russian Varvara Flink 6-3, 75 on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2022.