Peter Polansky - Tennis Canada

Polansky, Gubenco Move On in Rogers Cup Pre-Qualifying

August 2, 2006 - In front of a bevy of supporters, Peter Polansky (Thronhill, Ontario) showed that he is rounding back into the form that saw him emerge as one of the best young tennis talents in Canada.

Polansky came from behind to defeat No. 4 seed Dejan Cvetkovic (Saint-Foy, Quebec) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Rogers Cup presented by American Express Pre-Qualifying tournament. The match marked his first victory since suffering injuries during a sleepwalking accident at the Canadian Davis Cup team’s hotel in Mexico City in April.

The 18-year old Polansky was pleased with both his play and his speedy recovery.

“I feel great right now”, said Polansky, following the victory. “I wasn’t expecting to be playing right now at all a couple months ago, but now I’m getting my confidence back and feel like my game is improving”.

He is now one win away from a place in the qualifying draw at the Rogers Cup presented by American Express. The qualifying spot will be on the line when he faces fellow day one victor Philip Gubenco (Longueuil, Quebec) on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Gubenco, the top seed in the pre-qualifying tournament, advanced through his first round contest by defeating Adil Shamasdin (Pickering, Ontario) 6-2, 6-3. The Quebec native employed an aggressive style of play that allowed him to dominate baseline rallies and take control of the match.

“I played well today”, said Gubenco. ”I stayed focused and continued to play aggressively throughout the match.”

The two men who survive the two-day event will have clinched their place within the 32-player qualifying draw. Qualifying action at the Rogers Cup presented by American Express is set to begin on Saturday, August 5 and run through to Sunday, August 5. It will feature two rounds of competition, with each player still standing after the two rounds being awarded one of eight spots in the main draw.

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