State of the Road to the NBO: Chan in Charge of…

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The first few Canadian pro events of 2026 recently came to a close as the Road to the NBO’s most crucial stretch is next up on the domestic tournament calendar.

Duncan Chan kept his hold of top spot in the men’s standings, which he claimed by reaching his maiden ATP Challenger final in Drummondville towards the end of last season. The Markhamite racked up 44 of his 47 points thanks to the runner-up result on home soil.

While Chan has yet to play in a Canadian event this year, his closest-challenger Dan Martin has been trying to chip away at the 20-year-old’s solid lead.

Martin, who qualified for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers last season, currently sits with 16 points, collecting 12 after his quarter-final finish in Drummondville. The 26-year-old accumulated three points combined in the nation’s first events of the year in Sherbrooke and Montreal, but there is still plenty up for grabs in the summer.

Points are worth double in July with stops in Laval, Granby, and Winnipeg prior to the National Bank Open. Martin will need to reach at least the semifinals at the M25 Laval then make the quarters at the Challengers in Granby and Winnipeg, while hoping Chan doesn’t match or better those results, in order to secure the Road to the NBO wildcard.

The women’s standings heated up over the Canadian-indoor events. Leader Katherine Sebov was two-points clear of Kayla Cross heading into Toronto's Tevlin Challenger, thanks to the Torontonian's quarter-final run at August's W50 Saskatoon. Both Canucks finished in the semis of the Tevlin Challenger in October, keeping Sebov two points in front of Cross heading into the new year.

However, Ariana Arseneault and Alexandra Vagramov joined the mix in March. Arseneault won her maiden ITF singles title at the W15 Trois-Rivières then added three points in Victoriaville to bring her tally to 36, four behind Sebov.

Vagramov was the standout Canadian at the W15 Victoriaville, making the final and jumping into fourth in the Road to the NBO race. The New Westminster-native’s 27 points put her nine back of Arseneault.

Not to mention that Raphaëlle Lacasse and Teah Chavez have also collected over 20 points with 26 and 24, respectively.

July will feature two Canadian events – W50 Saskatoon and W75 Granby – and the aim will be simple for the Canucks vying for a main-draw wildcard in Toronto. The double points reward players who are most in-form come summertime so, with the women’s race as close as it is, whoever is July’s best will secure that valuable top spot.

To keep up to date with the Road to the NBO standings and schedule, CLICK HERE.

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

The ATP's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium. Get your tickets today!