Alexis Galarneau may not have felt it, but the spectators located in the heights of the IGA stadium, who saw the big nimbostratus – perhaps it was more of a cumulonimbus, who knows – hovering, felt it.
Leading 5-4 in the second set, Galarneau was serving for the match. The only game that separated him from his first victory at the National Bank Open (OBN) was dragging on. Five break points for his rival Facundo Díaz Acosta, all of which were repelled by Galarneau. When the Quebecer finally got his first match point, the Argentinian pulled out one of his unstoppable service returns.
All this was happening while the incandescent sun, responsible for a stifling heat on this Sunday afternoon, was gradually disappearing. The storm seemed imminent, but Galarneau put an end to the suspense by taking advantage of his second match point to win. A triumph of 6-4 and 6-4 in his first round match of the OBN qualifiers.
“It started falling as soon as we finished. The stars were aligned!” Galarneau rejoiced, during a press scrum punctuated by a few droplets.
Galarneau assures that he did not feel any pressure from the threatening sky, even if his match was at risk of being interrupted. On the other hand, he noted the support of the public, marked by “Let’s go Alexis” and “A-le-xis”, throughout the duel.
PHOTO DAVID KIROUAC, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Alexis Galarneau
“To have this atmosphere on the center field, it’s incredible. I didn’t expect it at all,” admitted the 25-year-old. “But my family got 100 tickets and we used them. I knew my family would be there. But the public was there too. It’s a great day.”
The wave of love continued after he left the field, when he took about fifteen minutes to sign autographs in the alley that connects IGA Stadium to the interview area.
I’ve been there too, trying to get all the autographs. So I try to give them to as many young people as possible, if it can inspire them to continue playing. And it’s my way of giving back to the public what I’ve been given these last few years.
Alexis Galarneau
After defeats in qualifying in 2018 and 2019, after defeats in the 1er tour in 2022 and 2023, Galarneau therefore signs his first victory at the Canadian tournament.
At the hotel instead of at home
That said, Galarneau still needs to win one match if he wants to secure his spot in the main draw. The stakes are high for a player like him, ranked 232e in the world. Even if he were to lose in the 1er round of the main draw, his mere presence would earn him a check for $27,165, as well as 10 ranking points. The kind of check that helps turn the annual financial balance sheet from red to green, in a sport where costs are high.
His rival in the second and final round of qualifying is Rinky Hijikata, an Australian ranked 80th.e world ranking. They faced each other twice this year, both duels won by Galarneau.
“My approach is not to have too many expectations of myself if I have beaten him in the past. It’s a new week, a new tournament,” summed up the hero of the day.
And what will the preparation look like? “It will be very relaxed at the hotel. I would have stayed at home, but I don’t have air conditioning! So it will be good to be in the cold. Otherwise, it will be pasta, proteins, try to relax and think about something else.”
It remains to be seen whether Mother Nature will cooperate. As of late Sunday afternoon, Environment Canada was predicting an 80% chance of showers starting at noon Monday.