Tennis Canada  – Abanda captures a crucial win, Andreescu falls short
 
Montreal, April 22, 2017 – The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II play-off is XX after the first day of play at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. Bianca Andreescu (Mississauga, ON) lost a hard-fought battle against Putintseva in the first match of the day, 4-6, 6-4, 4-6. Françoise Abanda tied things up for Canada, posting a win over Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-3, 6-4.

Andreescu fought back from down a set, but was ultimately unable to hold on against her opponent. Ranked world no. 31, Yulia Putintseva from Kasakhztan showed her experience in the first set, taking a late break from the young Canadian. Andreescu bounced back in the second, taking an early 3-0 lead, before Putintseva was able to equalize. The Canadian took advantage of her chances and managed to break her opponent again and eventually take the second. In the final set, play was tight between the two, with neither giving an inch. In the end, the more experience Putintseva was able to overcome her opponent, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a grueling match that lasted almost three hours.

“For sure losing was disappointing but I fought until the end and I think that I played really good tennis. Just being here was so amazing for me; being part of the team is such a privilege and I’m really grateful for that,” stated Andreescu after her match. “I think today I showed that I can be at her level [Putintseva] so I’m really happy with that.”

In the second match of the day, Françoise Abanda started strong. She took the first set in a little over half an hour, playing an aggressive style against a skilled opponent. Abanda relied on her strong service game, tallying six aces in the match. The second set was a little more difficult, with both players struggling to hold serve. The Canadian fired a crucial ace towards the end of the set, which eventually gave her a few set points. She managed to convert on her fourth try, eventually taking the match 6-3, 6-4.

“I am very pleased with my result today. It was an important match for Canada and I am glad that I was able to even out the score after day one,” said Abanda after her important victory. “My game plan was to stay concentrated and to execute on all my shots. Today was a good day for me.”

The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II play-off will continue on Sunday, with both winners from Saturday facing each other in the first match of the day. Abanda and Putintseva will be followed by a match disputed between the number two players from each team, Andreescu and Shvedova. The day will conclude with a final doubles match. A win over Kazakhstan will bring the Canadian squad back into World Group II in 2018, while a loss will relegate them back into the Americas Zone Group I.

Action will continue on Sunday, April 23 starting at 12 p.m. The matches will be broadcast on TVA Sports 2 and Sportsnet Now.

Tickets still available
Tickets for the Fed Cup presented by BNP Paribas are still available for Sunday, starting at just $25 for the day. There is also a special rate for kids aged 12 and under at $15. Tickets can be purchased by calling 514-790-1245, or online at www.admission.com.  
 
About Fed Cup by BNP Paribas
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 107 nations entered in 2017. The competition is 54 years old having been founded in 1963. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Fed Cup. Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) is an international sponsor, while beIN SPORTS is the Official Global Media Rights Partner. Follow all the action on www.fedcup.com, www.fedcup.com/es, www.twitter.com/fedcup, https://www.facebook.com/FedCup and www.Weibo.com/fedcupofficial
 
About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events, 8 professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports 15 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates junior national training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
  

 
Media Contacts (Montreal):
Valerie Tetreault, Regional Manager, Communications and Media Relations
         514-273-1515 ext. 6259, vtetreault@tenniscanada.com            
      
Media Contacts (Toronto):
Nicole Watts, Manager, Communications
       416-665-9777 ext. 4092, or nwatts@tenniscanada.com