GATINEAU, February 28, 2017

The first main draw matches were played on Monday at the tenth edition of the Gatineau Futures presented by the Turpin Group, National Bank Financial. Sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the tournament, which offers $25,000 U.S. in prize money, will be played until March 5 at the Sporthèque in Hull.

One of the most anticipated matches of the day was the doubles encounter featuring the young Canadian duo of Félix Auger-Aliassime (Montreal, QC) and Denis Shapovalov (Richmond Hill, ON) who were facing the top seeds Isak Arvidsson of Sweden and Denmark’s Frederik Nielson. Following a tight first set, Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov were able to complete the first upset of the event in straight sets 7-6(1), 6-4.

Shapovalov will play his first round singles match on Tuesday afternoon against US-American Nathaniel Lammons. The 17-year-old Canadian, ranked no. 250 on the ATP rankings, is seeded second in the tournament. For his part, Auger-Aliassime will open on Wednesday against his compatriot and wildcard recipient Pavel Krainik.

The tournament’s top seed is Gleb Sakharov of France, who will open his title bid against Canadian wild card Samuel Monette.

On Monday, three Canadians, Nicaise Muamba (Gatineau, QC), Washi Gervais and Taha Baadi, competed in the final round of singles qualifying and none were able to earn a spot in the main draw. Canadian wildcard Malik Bhatnagar was defeated in the opening round of the main draw by German Tim Puetz.

Gatineau Futures presented by the Turpin Group, National Bank Financial is the first of three consecutive tournaments being played throughout Quebec in the months of February and March. The Gatineau event will be followed by the Sherbrooke Futures and the Drummondville National Bank Challenger.