DUBOIS WINS ALL-CANADIAN FINAL AT USTA OF TROY

By Rick Limpert

TROY, Ala., (Oct 14, 2012) –  One of Canada’s most famous exports, the  legendary rock band Rush, hit the Top 10 in 1981 with one of their  most famous songs, “Limelight.” For two Canadians in Troy, Alabama on  Sunday, they have ultimate goals of the “top-10″ and “limelight”, but  first there was a singles final to play at the USTA Tennis Classic of Troy at the Lundsford Tennis Complex on the  campus of Troy University.

Stephanie Dubois and Sharon Fichman  took to the court in Troy, with Dubois holding a 2-0 career mark in  head-to-head matches and higher world ranking of 167 compared to Fichman at No. 198.

The early stages of the first set featured the  players trading breaks of serve until Fichman took command. Mixing in some drop shots with some slice approach shots, she took the first set  6-3.

Sharon Fichman,Troy Final (Photo: Rick Limpert)

With Dubois going frequently to the towel to combat the 95 degree temperatures on the court, she gathered some early momentum  in the second set to race out to a 3-0 lead. Fichman then found the  range and stormed back to take a 4-3 lead. Dubois then fired herself up with some positive vocal instructions to pull ahead and take the second set 6-4.

In an attempt to gather herself, Fichman made a clothing change to start the third set and it worked as she jumped out to a 2-0 lead.  Dubois then found form as the skies became overcast and the temperature dropped, kind of like an early  fall day in Canada. The rest of the set was back and forth, and after a  questionable baseline call that went against Fichman, Dubois went ahead  4-3. Another break of serve allowed Dubois the chance to serve the match out and she did just that, winning on an overhead smash 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“I like playing here, the facility is nice and it’s good to  get my first tournament win of the year,” stated Dubois after the match.

Stephanie Dubois is the 2012 champ at the USTA Tennis Classic of Troy.

In Saturday’s doubles final, Angelina Gabueva and Arina Rodionova of Russia  defeated the Canadian pair of Fichman and Marie-Eve Pelletier 6-4, 6-4.

2012 Final Results

Singles:  Stephanie Dubois (CAN) def Sharon Fichman (CAN) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Doubles:  Gabueva(RUS)/Arina Rodionova (RUS) def Fichman (CAN) Pelletier (CAN) 6-4, 6-4