Canadians Draxl, Martin, Zhao drop qualifying matches at National Bank Open

Canada's Liam Draxl dropped a 7-6 (6), 6-4 decision to Argentina's Diego Schwartzman in first-round qualifying play at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Saturday.

Draxl, from Newmarket, Ont., was one of five Canadians entered in the 28-man qualification draw.

In another early match, Aleksandar Vukic of Australia posted a 6-3, 6-4 win over Dan Martin of Laval, Que.

Justin Boulais of Oakville, Ont., Brayden Schnur of Pickering, Ont., and Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont., were scheduled to play their respective openers later in the day.

Eight spots are reserved for qualifiers in the 56-man main draw, which begins Monday at Sobeys Stadium.

In Montreal, where the women's singles tournament is being held this year, Canada's Carol Zhao lost 6-3, 6-3 to Spain's Critstina Bucsa in qualifying play.

The 28-year-old Zhao from Richmond Hill, Ont., is ranked 245th in the world. Last month, she advanced through qualifying at Wimbledon to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

The Spaniard won 69.4 per cent of her first serve points compared to Zhao's 58.7 per cent.

Marina Stakusic, an 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., lost in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to American Alycia Parks.

Hometown favourite Eugenie Bouchard was scheduled to play later in the day.

Katherine Sebov, Mia Kupres and Bianca Fernandez round out the Canadians in action on Saturday.