Edmonton Preview: Justin Boulais returns as defending champion, Fung and Cross in action in women’s field

Photo : Gyles Dias

World class tennis makes its way back to Western Canada this week, as the Edmonton National Bank Challenger kicks off at the Royal Glenora Club in Alberta.

The mixed event features some of the top young men’s and women’s players across the country.

16 spots are occupied by Canadians in the main draw of the M25 event, while 10 Canucks are in the W35 field. It’s just the second edition of the Challenger in Edmonton.

Boulais returns to defend title, Draxl back in action

It was at this point last season that Ohio State standout Justin Boulais captured the biggest professional singles title of his career, winning the inaugural Edmonton National Bank Challenger in 2023.

The powerful left-hander enjoyed a dream week in 2023, ousting top seed Aziz Dougaz, toppling fellow Canuck Liam Draxl in the semi-finals, and rallying for a thrilling three-set win over Britain’s Giles Hussey to claim the championship.

The 22-year-old has since completed his collegiate career at Ohio State and is looking to make headway on the tour. In July, he finished runner-up in doubles at the Granby Challenger.

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Liam Draxl is back to compete and is the highest ranked Canadian in the field at world No. 259. The Newmarket native, who represented Canada at the Davis Cup back in February, has captured two ATP Challenger titles in doubles this year, with wins in Little Rock and Dobrich, Bulgaria. He is seeded second this week in Edmonton.

Tunisia’s Aziz Dougaz, ranked No. 227, is also returning to Alberta and is the top seed.

Stacey Fung leads Canadian women

Canadian Stacey Fung headlines the field in the W35 tournament this week, and she arrives at the event in excellent form.

The 27-year-old captured her ninth career ITF title and first of the season in September, winning the W35 in Santarem, Portugal. She’s currently ranked No. 276 and holds the second seed in Edmonton this week.

London native Kayla Cross is seeded third this week, and has enjoyed a breakout year in both singles and doubles. The 19-year-old won her first pro singles title at the Saskatoon Challenger in August and has also picked up three ITF wins in double this season.

Canadians Ariana Arseneault and Mia Kupres are also in the singles field and teaming up in doubles. The pair memorably reached the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open in August, and won back-to-back titles in Granby and Saskatoon.

This is the first of two consecutive events in Alberta, with the Calgary National Bank Challenger on the schedule next week.

Main draw action gets underway Tuesday.

Written By

Ben Lewis