Tennis Canada – Gatineau, February 27, 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 at 5 p.m. against 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.

On Monday, three Canadians, Nicaise Muamba (Gatineau, QC), Washi Gervais et 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.

About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events, 10 professional ITF- sanctioned events and financially supports 12 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national junior training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada, please visit our website at www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

-30-

Media Contact (Montreal) :
Valerie Tetreault, Regional Manager, Communications and Media Relations
         514-273-1515 ext. 6259, vtetreault@tenniscanada.com