Chan & Galarneau win in doubles at NBO, topping…

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Duncan Chan has played so well at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers that he was asked about possibly landing a spot in Canada’s Davis Cup team for next month’s marquee matchup against France in Quebec City.

“I wouldn’t say no. I want play some doubles with this guy,” the native of Markham, Ontario, joked, referring to Alexis Galarneau.

In his first ATP tournament, the 21-year-old senior at Texas Christian University qualified in Montreal and took world No. 65 Thiago Tirante to a final set tiebreaker in the first round. It was impressive, especially considering Tirante went on to beat Grand Slam finalist Taylor Fritz.

When Denis Shapovalov had to pull out of doubles due to injury, Chan took his spot alongside Galarneau. The Canadian pair shared the court with a Grand Slam singles and doubles winner — and won. Chan and Galarneau toppled Alexander Zverev and his good friend, Marcelo Melo, 6-3, 7-6 (5) at a packed Court 9.

“It’s a little bit like the fifth Grand Slam for us,” said the 27-year-old Galarneau, who hails from nearby Laval.

Chan’s volley that touched the baseline sealed the win for the wildcard duo. They saved both break points they faced.

READ: de Minaur misses match point, Fils looks sharp at NBO

The win lifted the spirits of Canadian fans after Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo and Félix Auger-Aliassime were all struck down by injuries.

“It was a little sad,” said Chan. “I grew up watching them. I kind of wanted to see them in person, not just for me but for all the Montreal fans. It’s just terrible to see that they went out that way. But I know they’ll be back next year.”

Close for Harper, Draxl against Medvedev

A second all-Canadian wildcard pairing, Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., and Calgary’s Cleeve Harper, also saw a Grand Slam winner on the other side of the net, Daniil Medvedev. But they couldn’t get the win.

Medvedev, ousted in singles on Wednesday, and Fabian Marozsan won 4-6, 6-4, 10-6 as Court 9 stayed full. Crucially, Medvedev and Marozsan saved four straight break points at 4-4 in the second set. On the second one, Marozsan held firm at the net from Draxl’s baseline onslaught.