Canadian wildcards Duncan Chan and Alexis Galarneau saw their breakthrough run at the National Bank Open come to an end on Monday, falling 6-2, 6-4 to third-seeded Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in the doubles quarterfinals. The defeat at IGA Stadium in Montreal concluded a week of high-stakes tennis for the duo, who had previously secured victories against Grand Slam champions to reach the final eight.
Arevalo, representing El Salvador, and Croatia’s Pavic asserted control early in the match. According to reports from the National Bank Open, the third-seeded pair dominated on serve, losing only two points throughout the opening set while forcing nine break opportunities. The match, played on Centre Court, saw the third-seeded pair utilize their experience to overcome the Canadian team’s momentum.
The first set turned definitively after the Canadian tandem was broken at 1-1. Chan and Galarneau faced sustained pressure, fighting off three consecutive break points before a double fault from Chan on the fourth opportunity surrendered the game. A subsequent failure to convert a backhand volley by the 20-year-old Chan led to a second break, allowing Arevalo and Pavic to pull away.
Tactical Pressure and Match Dynamics
The second set offered a brief resurgence for the home favorites. Spurred on by the crowd at IGA Stadium, Chan and Galarneau managed to hold serve early, though they remained under constant threat. At 1-1, Galarneau executed a notable stretch backhand volley to save a break point, providing temporary relief for the Canadian side.
However, the offensive efficiency of the third seeds ultimately proved too significant to overcome. Arevalo, who holds multiple major titles alongside Pavic, including a victory at Roland-Garros, dictated play at the net. The decisive break came at 4-3, initiated by an inside-out forehand from Arevalo and concluded with a crosscourt backhand winner.
A Milestone Week for Duncan Chan
Despite the quarterfinal exit, the tournament marked a significant professional milestone for Duncan Chan. A senior at Texas Christian University (TCU), Chan was participating in his first-ever ATP tournament. His performance extended beyond the doubles draw; he successfully navigated the qualifying rounds in singles and pushed world No. 65 Thiago Tirante to a third set in the main draw.
The partnership between Chan and Galarneau, a native of Laval, Quebec, highlighted the potential for Canadian depth in the doubles circuit. While the pair could not replicate their earlier success against top-tier opposition, their ability to reach the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event served as a notable introduction for Chan to the professional tour.
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