(Toronto) Quebecers Alexis Galarneau and Gabriel Diallo, as well as Vancouver’s Vasek Pospisil, have received their passes for the main draw of the men’s component of the National Bank Open which will take place in Toronto, Tennis Canada announced on Monday.
They will join their compatriots Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic, who had already confirmed their presence in the main draw of the tournament which will take place from August 5 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium.
“We are delighted to be able to offer passes to Vasek, Gabriel and Alexis,” commented Karl Hale, manager of the National Bank Open in Toronto. Not only do these three players bring additional quality to an already strong roster, but the fact that we can offer this opportunity to three deserving Canadians is important as it allows us to showcase our talented athletes. »
Galarneau, 24, made a name for himself on Sunday by claiming his first Challenger Tour title by defeating young Australian Philip Sekulic, 477e championship, in three sets of 6-4, 3-6 and 6-3 in the final of the National Bank Championships in Granby.
The Laval resident was playing in his second Challenger tournament final and his second in Canada after being a finalist in Winnipeg last year. He followed in the footsteps of Diallo, from Montreal, who also won top honors in Granby last year, winning his first Challenger trophy.
On Monday, when the new rankings were published, Galarneau reached a personal high of 162e echelon in the ATP world rankings, which will allow him to take part in the qualifications of the United States Open later this summer.
PHOTO ALBERTO SAÍZ, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Gabriel Diallo
For his part, Diallo will participate in the main draw of the National Bank Open for the first time in his career. In June, he was quarter-finalist on the grass of Nottingham. Diallo was also part of the Canadian Davis Cup team at the Finals in Malaga, Spain, last September.
For his part, Pospisil recently made a return to play in Wimbledon qualifying and also participated in the National Bank Championships in Granby last week.