National Bank of Montreal Open: First fall favourite

After Bianca Andreescu’s disappointing loss, Tuesday night delivered another surprise for tennis fans at the National Bank Open when Caroline Garcia became the top seed to lose.

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The fifth seed at the event fell far short in her second-round clash against Marie Bouzkova, No. 37 in the world, and lost her flag 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at Rogers Court.

The 25-year-old Czech wasted no time, winning quickly in the opening round and taking a lead in the middle set, before Garcia found her bearings a bit.

Bouzkova didn’t hold back and took a 5-0 lead going into the final round, a deficit too big for the 29-year-old Frenchwoman.

Predictions below

Garcia was hoping to relaunch his season in front of his home crowd in Montreal. She comes to Quebec with a positive attitude, after also feeling underwhelmed on her first outing in Washington last week.

The sixth player in the world, who started his career in the fourth tier, has not lifted a title this season. His inconsistent game also draws criticism from the French, who have very little food on the tennis side at the moment.

Garcia will have important points to defend over the next few weeks, as she won last year in Cincinnati before reaching the semi-finals in New York.

Azarenka is injured

A few hours earlier, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, the 16th favorite in Montreal, had pulled abs.

“Dear fans, it is with regret that I have to announce some bad news. During the warm-up for tonight’s match [mardi face à l’Américaine Sloane Stephens]The chronic injury that I thought was resolved is back and I have to withdraw from the tournament. I wish the event all the success it deserves and good luck to Sloan for the rest of the competition. I love Montreal and can’t wait to go back! “

Madison Keys of the United States also had to step down due to a gluteal injury. The 13th seed had wrecked compatriot Venus Williams the previous evening.