THE National Bank Open has begun in Montreal, Canada, with a flurry of top talents expected to take the court this week as the US Open draws ever closer.

In intriguing circumstances, three match results came down to injury retirements, as two Czechs in Marie Bouzkova and Tereza Martincova both dropped the first set before closing out the incomplete matches and handing second round berths to 11th seed Maria Sakkari and American Amanda Anisimova, respectively, while Ajla Tomljanovic dominated the first set against Fiona Ferro before retiring upon completion of the second set, which went the way of the Frenchwoman. The Greek seed said she was happy to be back playing in front of fans.

“It was shocking when I walked on the court and saw a crowd,” Sakkari said. “I haven’t seen that since Roland Garros. “That was a very nice thing.”

The two Czechs were joined on the sidelines by 14th seeded compatriot Karolina Muchova, who was outclassed in a topsy-turvy clash by qualifier Oceane Dodin in the lone three setter of the day, going down 6-3 1-6 6-2 to the Frenchwoman. The upset saw Dodin weather Muchova’s heavy serve and her own error rate to command control, winning 70.8 per cent of her first serve points despite a 44.2 per cent clip and 10 double faults. Katerina Siniakova was the only Czech of the day to come away with a win, overcoming Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in 74 minutes.

Meanwhile, the day’s third French competitor in qualifier Clara Burel was well and truly outclassed by 13th seed Ons Jabeur, who completed a 6-1 6-3 sweep of the 20-year-old in just 55 minutes. Jabeur reigned supreme in one of two sub-60-minute clashes – not including Anisimova’s default victory – as Nadia Podoroska dominated against Magda Linette to complete a 6-1 6-2 sweep of the Pole in just 59 minutes to proceed.

A flurry of straight sets victories finished off the day’s results, as Sorana Cirstea, Paula Badosa and Anastasia Potapova all claimed wins, with the former and latter both defeating Americans in Alison Riske and Shelby Rogers, respectively. Two matches remain with results not yet decided, as Harriet Dart leads Leylah Fernandez midway through the second set, and a clash between 16th seed Madison Keys and Canadian Rebecca Marino yet to begin.

NATIONAL BANK OPEN ROUND OF 64 RESULTS: 

[11] Maria Sakkari (GRE) defeated Marie Bouzkova (CZE) 6-4 3-1 RET
[13] Ons Jabeur (TUN) defeated Clara Burel (FRA) 6-1 6-3
Oceane Dodin (FRA) defeated [14] Karolina Muchova (CZE) 6-3 1-6 6-2
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) defeated Alison Riske (USA) 6-3 6-4
Amanda Anisimova (USA) defeated Tereza Martincova (CZE) 6-1 4-3 RET
Nadia Podoroska (ARG) defeated Magda Linette (POL) 6-1 6-2
Katerina Siniakova (CZE) defeated Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-1 6-3
Paula Badosa (ESP) defeated Viktorija Golubic (SUI) 6-2 6-3
Fiona Ferro (FRA) defeated Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 2-6 6-2 RET
Anastasia Potapova (RUS) defeated Shelby Rogers (USA) 7-6 6-3
Harriet Dart (GBR) vs Leylah Fernandez (CAN)
Rebecca Marino (CAN) vs [16] Madison Keys (USA)

Picture credit: Sarah-Jade Champagne / Tennis Canada