Marina Stakusic

Canada’s Marina Stakusic put up a valiant effort, but ultimately fell to Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the opening round of the National Bank Open on Sunday.

The 142nd-ranked Stakusic, in her fourth appearance at the NBO, was making her main draw debut in Montreal after bowing out in the second round of last year’s tournament, held in Toronto.

The 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., got off to a strong start, breaking Cristian in the Romanian’s very first service game to go up 2-0 in the opening set.