[MONTREAL, QC] October 13, 2024 – The second edition of the combined $25k ITF Challenger in Edmonton, Alberta, was decided this week at the Royal Glenora Club. On Sunday, Liam Draxl of Canada and Julie Belgraver of France conquered their respective singles draws.
Seed no.2 Liam Draxl, 22, strung together a series of two-set wins to book his ticket for the final, ousting Jim Hendrikx of the Netherlands (6-1, 7-6(5)) and then his fellow Canadians Nicaise Muamba (6-4, 6-4) and Alvin Nicolas Tudorica (6-2, 6-3). In the ultimate showdown, he got the better of Patrick Maloney (4) of the US (6-4, 6-1) to add a sixth pro title to his record and raise his first trophy of the season.
In the women’s draw, Julie Belgraver, 22, secured her second ITF singles title. The Frenchwoman, who won all her matches in three sets, showed remarkable determination all week long. She eliminated Canadians Kayla Cross and Cadence Brace and then fought hard to overpower their countrywoman Ariana Arsenault (6-1, 3-6, 6-2) in the final.
In women’s doubles draw, Kayla Cross of Canada and Maribella Zamarripa (3) of the US clinched the title with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Jessica Failla and Anna Rogers (2) of the US, as Cross took home her fourth doubles trophy of the season and the sixth of her career. The champions got off to a flying start, defeating Raphaëlle Lacasse of Canada and Samantha Alicea of the US in three sets and then Dalayna Hewitt and Liga Dekmeijere (7-6(6), 4-6, 11-9). In the semis, Cross and Zamarripa overwhelmed the top team of Ariana Arsenault and Mia Kupres 6-4, 6-4.
In the final of the men’s doubles event, the all-Canadian top-seeded team of Draxl and Cleeve Harper routed their compatriots Benjamin Thomas George and Tudorica (6-4, 6-4) to collect their second shared title this year, which is Draxl’s eighth and Harper’s sixth of their careers. The duo dropped only one set along the way, in the semis against Lucas Hammond and Boris Kozlov (6-3, 3-6, 10-5) of the US, after they moved past brothers Nicolas and Mikael Arsenault (6-3, 6-2).
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