Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard moves into second round of National Bank Cup

QUEBEC – Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard had a successful start to the National Bank Cup on Wednesday, downing Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-3, 6-4 in first round action.

Bouchard, the top seed at the tournament on Laval University’s campus, shot just 59 per cent on first serves but still got past Minella in one hour 24 minutes.

The Westmount, Que., native managed just one service ace the entire match but was effective in her rallies. The 22-year-old converted four of six break points against Minella, who is ranked No. 108 in the world.

Bouchard, ranked No. 48 in the world, saved 3-of-5 break points in her first career matchup against Minella.

Bouchard will now face world No. 162 Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia on Thursday night.

In other Wednesday matches, American Julia Boserup surprised tournament No. 7 seed Evgeniya Rodina of Russia 6-4, 6-3. Lauren Davis, a qualifier from the U.S., got past compatriot Samantha Crawford 6-4, 6-1, while fellow qualifier Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic defeated Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. American Catherine Bellis beat Danielle Lao of the U.S., 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.