QUÉBEC CITY, Canada – Barbora Stefkova was a match from reaching the main draw after falling in qualies, but got a lucky break that the Czech youngster took with gusto to knock out defending champion Annika Beck, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the second round of the Coupe Banque Nationale.

“I was a little bit lucky to get in as a lucky loser,” she said after the match. “It definitely wasn’t an easy match because she doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. She’s really solid from the baseline, running so much. There weren’t too many easy points for me, but I’m happy I made it.:

Stefkova was a late addition to the draw, but made the most of her opportunity against Beck, who’d taken the title in Québec one year ago. Down a set and 5-3, the 21-year-old saved two match points before roaring back to level the match. Recovering from a break deficit in the decider, Stefkova served out the win on her first match point.

“I just tried to keep my game, tried to play fast, and hope for the best!”

A stunned Stefkova was extra exhilarated to learn just how big her win over the No.2 seed was after the match.

“She won last year? I didn’t know that, or check her profile. So it’s a nice result for me! I just knew my first round, so I’ll need to check now!”

Stefkova next plays Alison Van Uytvanck, who began the day with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Elitsa Kostova.

It was a tough day for seeds as No.4 seed Julia Goerges bowed out to the big-hitting Ekaterina Alexandrova (who beat Ana Ivanovic in the first round of Wimbledon), 6-4, 7-6(1), and No.5 seed Naomi Broady fell to Oceane Dodin, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. For Dodin, today’s win marked her first on the WTA level, though she had already won two main draw matches at Grand Slams.

Young Canadian Francoise Abanda ended the night with a straight-set win over Mona Barthel.