Galarneau goes down swinging as Berrettini exits in Montreal

The 27-year-old native of Laval — about a half-hour drive from IGA Stadium in Montreal — lost to Vit Kopriva of Czechia 6-4, 6-4 in the first round, a year after he picked up his lone ATP win at the NBO against Arthur Rinderknech. 

Kopriva just had more zip on his serve and ground strokes, evidenced by 11 winners (to five) and 74% first serve points won compared to Galarneau’s 55. 

“I’ll try to focus on the positives,” said Galarneau. “At the moment, it still hurts in the heart but that’s the beauty of sport. In moments like this, maybe it could be a turning point in my career.”

Kopriva might be a reference point for Galarneau. It took the 29-year-old 10 years to reach the coveted Top 100 in the rankings, a place Galarneau wants to get to. 

After an early rain delay on Centre Court, Kopriva grabbed a double-break lead for 5-2. When the World No. 71 missed out on a set point, though, things got interesting. 

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Galarneau reeled off nine straight points as he threatened to get back on serve. He pointed to his ear, orchestrating his home fans, after pulling off a backhand volley winner to cap a 22-shot rally.  But with time on a forehand and Kopriva exposed on break point, Galarneau sent a forehand into the net. Chance missed. Kopriva held and built on the momentum, breaking for 2-1 in the second with a deft drop shot, before another rain delay. Perfect timing for Galarneau, who duly broke back when they resumed around 90 minutes later. Yet Kopriva took control again, the sun now peeking out. 

History then repeated itself. 

Almost out of it, Galarneau fought back, saving five match points, leading the famous Montreal fans to raise their voice. Yet on match point No. 6, Galarneau sent a tame backhand into the net to end Kopriva’s four-match losing streak. 

“I think I had a good attitude right until the end,” said Galarneau. 

Navone upends Berrettini 

On Rogers Court, Argentina’s Mariano Navone — largely known for his clay-court prowess — continues to make progress on hard courts. 

He won his first hard court Challenger in 2026 and got his second career Top 50 win on hard when he upended Matteo Berrettini, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3 in three hours. 

They, too, encountered stops and starts due to the rain. 

The match seemed to swing in Berrettini’s favour when he won the second set, stealing a point at 5-5 in the tiebreaker when Navone missed a short forehand into the net. 

Yet Navone — routinely targeting the Italian’s backhand — recovered and grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third. His 19 wins are a personal best in a season. 

Berrettini committed 21 backhand unforced errors and 39 on his feared forehand. 

The 2021 Wimbledon finalist, who had won all three of their previous matches (all on clay), is still looking for his first Montreal win. 

Photos: Pascal Ratthé & Mathieu Bélanger