QUÉBEC CITY, September 13, 2017

Top seed Lucie Safarova opened her title bid at the National Bank Cup presented by IGA on Sunday with a comfortable 6-0, 6-1 victory over Anna Tatishvili from the United States.

The World No. 33 from the Czech Republic lost just four points on serve and broke six times to defeat Tatishvili in Québec for the second time, after winning the first career meeting between the two in 2013. The same year she eventually left the WTA International event with the trophy.

“It was an amazing week, I remember I was here with my Canadian coach Rob Steckley and we made a bet before the tournament that he should cut his hair if I won it,” joked Safarova ahead of her first round encoutner. She will next take on US-American Sofia Kenin.

Fourth seed Tatjana Maria of Germany also advanced to the second round. The 30-year-old edged past Hungarian teenager Fanny Stollar 6-2, 7-6. Maria won 78 per cent of her first service points and converted three of her eight break point chances to prevail after one hour and 23 minutes. She will next play Grace Min from the United States.

Canadian youngsters Bianca Andreescu and Francoise Abanda delighted the home crowd with two wins. 17-year-old Andreescu knocked out sixth favourite Jennifer Brady from the United States 6-3, 6-2 in 61 minute to face Lucie Hradecka from the Czech Republic in the second round.

20-year-old Abanda beat US-American Asia Muhammad 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 43 minutes. She will next challenge the tournament’s number five Varvara Lepchenko from the Ukraine.