GATINEAU, July 17, 2019
Following the tournament in Winnipeg, the ATP Challenger Tour is staying in Canada for another week with the Challenger Banque National de Gatineau. Local favourite and wild card entry Alexis Galarneau advanced to the third round on Tuesday by upsetting the tournament’s top seed Antoine Hoang of France.
The World No. 433 from Laval sent down seven aces, winning 74 per cent of his first service points to secure a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and 20 minutes. Next up for Galarneau will be No. 16 seed Duckee Lee of Korea, who defeated US-American Ernesto Escobedo 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).
Second favourite Soonwoo Kwon remained untroubled in his opening match beating Shintaro Imai of Japan 6-2, 6-3. The 21-year-old Korean saved all three break points he faced, converting four of his own nine chances to prevail after one hour and 14 minutes. Kwon will next take on No. 15 seeded Frenchman Enzo Couacaud, who edged past Spaniard Carlos Gomez-Herrera 6-2, 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 25 minutes.
The hard-court event with a total prize money of $54,160 continues with Tennis Canada Day on Wednesday. Tennis fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite athletes on the courts but also outside. Starting at 4:30 pm, Canadian players will be playing a game of mini-tennis with the spectators. At 5 pm, Rebecca Marino will take part in a questions and answers session.
For more information, please visit the tournament’s official homepage.