The Canadian presence is on the rise at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
Duncan Chan of Canada, currently ranked 601st globally, pulled off a remarkable upset against world No. 90 Hugo Gaston from France, winning 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday in Montreal, thus securing his spot in the men’s main draw.
Chan is gearing up for his senior year at Texas Christian University, where he earned the title of most improved player in NCAA men’s tennis during the last season.
A proud native of Markham, Ontario, Chan was one of just two athletes to finish the NCAA season ranked in the top 10 for both singles and doubles, significantly contributing to TCU’s journey to the national semifinals. He also achieved All-American recognition.
Chan will join fellow Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo, Liam Draxl, and Alexis Galarneau in the main draw set to begin on Sunday.
Unfortunately, all other Canadian players exited in the qualifying rounds on Saturday.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side in Toronto, local favorite Ana Grubor came agonizingly close to a stunning upset, but ultimately fell 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7) against Australia’s No. 1 qualifying seed, Maya Joint.
Well-known names making their way through include Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and the 2024 NBO champion Alexei Popyrin from Australia on the men’s side, along with Sloane Stephens from the U.S. on the women’s side.
