Photo : Sarah-Jade Champagne
Qualifying for the ATP Challenger National Bank Championships in Granby concluded on Monday with a pair of Canadians booking their place in the man draw.
Justin Boulais was the first Canadian man to qualify, upsetting fifth seed Osgar O’Hoisin in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. It will be the 20-year-old’s first ATP Challenger main draw in almost two years.
Dan Martin joined him as the sun began to set in Granby, winning a nearly-three-hour thriller with 11th seed Connor Farren. Martin broke once in the first and third sets, including a mammoth final game where he converted his sixth match point to reach the main draw with a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 win.
With the addition of Boulais and Martin, there will be six Canadian men in the main draw in Granby.
Taha Baadi, the highest seeded Canadian in the qualifying draw at No. 4, lost in the opening match of the day to American Aidan Mayo 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. Canada’s Kelsey Stevenson was also defeated, falling to former junior world No. 1 Luke Saville in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(3).
Top seed Alafia Ayeni survived a push from No. 10 seed Jonathan Eysseric to reach the main draw with a 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-3 win. His countryman and fellow high seed, No. 3 Colin Markes, had an easier time clinch his spot, beating Julian Cash in straight sets.
Main draw play begins for the men on Tuesday.
