(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 also the 13th seed in the qualifying table.
The 29-year-old Quebecer will face American Elizabeth Mandlik, 147th racket in the world, in the next round. 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 advance to the main draw at the Madrid tournament, after Bianca Andreescu, Leylah Annie Fernandez and Rebecca Marino.
Andreescu, the 23rd seed in the Madrid tournament, earned a bye into the second round, while Fernandez will face 15-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the first round, and Marino will face China’s Lin Zhu.
Bouchard, who is ranked 285th in the world, lost in the second round of the tournament in Oeiras, Portugal, last week.
