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The tough life of tennis professionals...

August 6, 2005 - The first day of qualifying for the Rogers Cup made the three Canadians in action on the courts at Jarry Park break out into a cold sweat.

Montreal's Erik Chvojka, Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Sainte-Foy, Que., and Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont., failed to advance past the first round or even take a set off their opponents.

Impressed by the almost 8,000 fans that passed through the gates at the Uniprix Stadium, and by the quality of players in the qualifying draw (aside from the Canadians, no player is ranked higher than 169 th in the world), the Canadians bowed out to stronger and more experienced players.

Chvojka, who is studying in New York this year, suffered an honourable defeat at the hands of Frenchman Florent Serra, 7-5, 6-2. He led 5-2 in the first set and even held a set point.

Polansky crossed paths with powerful Swede Jonas Bjorkman, who took the match 6-2, 6-1; while Duclos bowed out 6-1, 6-2 to Novak Djokovic of Serbia Montenegro.

“I'm not used to playing in this quality tournament and in front of so many fans,” said Duclos, a 19-year-old who left his hometown in Quebec two years ago to train in Florianopolis, Brazil. “It's an incredible experience and I'm happy that Martin Laurendeau (Assistant Tournament Director) invited me to participate. My parents, my friends – an entire section of the stadium was here to cheer me on. It was a little stressful.”

Duclos, who speaks French, English, Spanish and Portuguese, trains at the Institut Larri Passos Tennis Academy with Coach Ricardo Pimentel. That's where three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten trains when he's at home.

“I'm a serve and volley player and I'm learning to play better on clay and perfect my game on hard court. I think it's an extraordinary experience,” said Duclos, who is back in Quebec for the first time in two years and will return to South America on Sunday.

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