Rogers Cup: Françoise Abanda thrills hometown crowd with upset win

Françoise Abanda wasn’t supposed to receive a wild card into the main draw at the Rogers Cup, but when she was given the opportunity, she made the most of it.
Abanda was the lone Canadian to survive the first round of singles play Tuesday, upsetting Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 6-3, 6-2 Tuesday night. The win earned her an appearance in IGA Stadium Wednesday afternoon against third-seeded Sloane Stephens of the U.S.
“I expected to play (in the qualifying) Saturday and I wind up pl