The ride ends: Galarneau, Chan beaten by…

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Alexis Galarneau and Duncan Chan beat Grand Slam champions to reach the doubles quarterfinals at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers but the Canadian wildcards couldn’t do it three matches in a row.

They were ousted by Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, 6-2, 6-4 to start play at Centre Court on Monday.

The third seeds have won eight titles together, including Roland-Garros. It didn’t take them long to take control in Montreal.

They created nine break points in the first set and only lost two points on serve.

Chan, a senior at Texas Christian University playing in his first ATP tournament, struggled with his first-serve percentage throughout.

The native of Markham, Ontario was broken at 1-1. Chan and Galarneau saved three straight break points to almost escape but on the fourth one, Chan delivered a double fault.

READ: Everybody Loves Duncan Chan, who is making a splash in NBO debut

Then, when Chan couldn’t put away a backhand volley, he and Galarneau were broken for a second time.

A good start was needed in the second set and it happened. The fans at IGA Stadium gave them a lift.

But at 1-1, it was back to saving break points.

Galarneau, who hails from Laval, duly obliged with a stretch backhand volley. Temporary respite.

Arevalo of El Salvador and Croatia’s Pavic sizzled up at the net and Arevalo shone when the duo broke for 4-3.

He crushed a forehand inside out early in the game, then sealed the game with a backhand crosscourt. A brief rain delay at 5-3 in the third didn’t change the momentum.

Chan and Galarneau never did manufacture a break point.

Despite the result, Chan won’t soon forget this NBO. Besides earning doubles wins, he qualified in singles and took world No. 65 Thiago Tirante to a third set in the main draw.

Photo: Pascal Ratthé/Tennis Canada