Windy City Open RD1: Courtice in Control Against Letourneau

England’s Julianne Courtice put in a measured display to overcome Canada’s Danielle Letourneau in straight games at the University Club of Chicago – meaning she will appear in the second round of the Windy City Open presented by the Walter Family for the first time in her career.

Courtice, who will now face three-time winner Raneem El Welily in the last 32, was firing on all cylinders and putting the ball into the court corners well.

Letourneau went down 3-0 when they met at the U.S. Open earlier this year, and the World No.39 never quite got going as Courtice sealed an 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 victory to reach the next round.

“This court is just so fast, and if you’re not the one in front, you’re the one doing a lot of running behind,” said Courtice, a qualified physiotherapist.

“My main aim was to be hitting those shots away. I know Danielle can get to everything, you’ve got to be really proactive and take the game to her, otherwise you’re just going to sit back in a slogging fight.

“I took a break from the tour, so I still feel relatively new to it, but there are so many experiences coming at me all the time. If I can learn from them, then I can improve from them and that’s the goal at the moment.

“I hope I’m not written off at 28, although some people out there may think so, and I’m going to take it to everyone. Absolutely [looking forward to playing El Welily] and I’m going to take it to her.”

Result
Julianne Courtice (ENG) bt Danielle Letourneau (CAN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 (27m)