Chan loses ATP debut but makes big impression at NBO

They chanted, “Let’s go, Duncan, let’s go,” on a sunny Tuesday afternoon and kept it going throughout at Court 5 in Montreal. They witnessed a piece of history, as Chan competed in his first ever ATP match. He almost made more history — notching a first win — but fell just short against Thiago Tirante in a thriller, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (3). He almost got the better of the former junior No. 1 after topping a former junior No. 2, Hugo Gaston, from a set down in qualifying. 

Chan led 4-2 in the third set, turning the match around after Tirante controlled the opener. Chan — who hails from Markham, Ontario, is ranked No. 606, largely explained by the fact that he still plays college tennis at TCU in Texas. The Argentine came in at No. 65, having the best season of his career but returning from an abdominal injury. Still, he showed little rust in the first set. Armed with one of the fastest serves in tennis — not to mention a commanding forehand — Tirante didn’t give Chan much of an opportunity. On the few occasions he was in trouble on serve, Tirante brought out the power. 

READ: NBO Montreal Tale of the Tape: Shapovalov vs. Svajda

But then one of those two-game swings often seen in tennis surfaced. 

Tirante erred on a short forehand that would have given him a break point at 1-1 in the second. Maybe feeling it was a chance missed, Tirante unravelled in the ensuing game, delivering three double faults to get broken. Chan soared to nine straight points and cruised to the second set. 

He was now serving and volleying more, looking to dictate instead of allowing Tirante to. While Tirante went off for a toilet break before the third, Chan chatted with Martin Laurendeau, the experienced head of men’s tennis at Tennis Canada. 

A delicate drop shot at 2-2 in the third set contributed to a break in Chan’s favour for 3-2 as he kept it going. With the finish line in sight, now it was a question of whether Chan would feel the nerves. That appeared to be the case at 4-3. Instead of measured approaches to the net, he moved forward with abandon. Barely missing any volleys before, they were now getting away from him. Tirante broke back as the pendulum swung. 

Chan benefited from the first mini-break in the third set tiebreaker, with Tirante, though, immediately responding. A huge forehand mishit from Chan gave Tirante a 4-2 lead. The Canadian couldn’t rally again but made a lasting impression and don’t be surprised to see him in Toronto next year. 

Photo by: Amélie Caron