Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Quebec, fell just short of his first Grand Slam main-draw berth after losing 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 to Italy's Federico Cina in the third round of French Open qualifying on Thursday. The 27-year-old had saved 15 of 17 break points in his second-round victory over Brazil's Pedro Boscardin Dias on Wednesday, advancing as the only Canadian to reach the final qualifying round. However, Cina converted five break points in the decisive match to Galarneau's three, securing his own first Grand Slam main-draw spot.
Galarneau's breakthrough attempt falls short
Galarneau reached the third round of qualifying for the first time in three attempts at Roland Garros. The Canadian had been eliminated in the first round of qualifying in both 2024 and 2025, making his run to the final stage a significant step forward. Despite the loss, his performance against Boscardin Dias—fending off 17 break-point threats and converting three of his own seven break chances—demonstrated improved resilience on clay.
Other Canadian qualifiers eliminated
Bianca Andreescu and Liam Draxl both exited in the second round on Wednesday. Andreescu, the former world No. 4 from Mississauga, Ontario, fell 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-4 to Slovakia's Viktoria Hruncakova, marking her second straight second-round qualifying exit at Roland Garros. The 25-year-old had advanced to the third round in 2024. Draxl, 24, from Newmarket, Ontario, lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 to top seed Jesper de Jong of the Netherlands in his second qualifying attempt at the clay-court Grand Slam.
Five Canadian players had already qualified for the main draw and received their first-round assignments on Thursday.
Sources
- RD News Now: Canada's Galarneau moves on to third round of French Open qualifying. Canadian Press, 2026-05-20.
- Medicine Hat News: Canada's Galarneau comes up short in French Open qualification bid. Canadian Press, 2026-05-21.
- Sportsnet.ca: Canada's Andreescu falls in French Open qualifying as Galarneau moves on. 2026-05-20.
- Winnipeg Free Press: Canada's Galarneau moves on to third round of French Open qualifying. Canadian Press, 2026-05-20.
Reported from public sources.