Canada's Bouchard falls in first-round qualifier at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — Canada's Eugenie Bouchard dropped a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 decision to American Ashlyn Krueger in first-round qualifying play Monday at the Australian Open.

Bouchard, from Montreal, gave up a service break in the final game as her 18-year-old opponent closed out the match in one hour 53 minutes.

Krueger is ranked 183rd in the world. Bouchard, who reached the semifinals at the Grand Slam event in 2014, holds the No. 317 position in the WTA Tour rankings.

In other first-round qualifying matches, Carol Zhao of Richmond Hill, Ont., posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over Hong Kong's Eudice Chong and Montreal's Gabriel Diallo dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision to Aleksandar Vukic of Australia.

Toronto's Katherine Sebov was scheduled to open against Linda Noskova of Czechia. Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., was to meet Ryan Peniston of Britain.

Main draw play begins Jan. 16.

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal, Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Vasek Pospisil, a native of Vernon, B.C., are on the men's entry list.

Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., and Vancouver's Rebecca Marino are entered in the women's draw.

The tournament continues through Jan. 29.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2023.