Robillard-Millette qualifies in Tunisia in return to action

Former top-five junior Charlotte Robillard-Millette has been off the tournament circuit for nearly two years.

But this week, she’s back.

The Quebecer, now 21, returned to action at the entry-level $15,000 ITF tournament in Monastir, Tunisia.

She won her second and final qualifying round Monday, against a fellow 21-year-old from Switzerland named Nicole Gadient, 6-1, 2-6, [10-5].

Gadient is outside the top 1,000 in the WTA Tour rankings.

Robillard-Millette’s best ranking, which occurred shortly before all but stopped playing in Nov. 2017, was No. 532.

Sunday, she was able to ease back into the grind as she faced an 18-year-old from France, Brigitte Manceau, who was playing only her fourth professional tournament (and had yet to post a win). Robillard-Millette defeated her 6-3, 6-1.

Just like starting over

Robillard-Millette is having to start back at the bottom, as she has no ranking.

A great friend (and occasional junior doubles partner) of US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, Robillard-Millette reached No. 4 in the junior rankings in June 2015.

She had a great run in the spring of that year on the clay. Robillard-Millette defeated Andreescu in the final of the Grade 1 tournament in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France and following that up with a finals appearance at the Grade A Trofeo Bonfiglio in Milan, where she lost to Marketa Vondrousova.

It was more of a struggle in the pros, though. And there was a lot going on off the court.

But now, she’s back.

Good place to start

There was room in the Monastir qualifying, so the Canadian was able to get in. In a 32-player draw, there were some players who only had to win match to earn their way into the main draw.

At the moment, she’s more than 50 spots down on the alternate list for a similar event next week, at the same location.

But those lists have a way of emptying out, so hopefully she can do the same.