Underdog duo clinch top prize at Canmore tennis tournament

CANMORE – Diego Mora and Marie-Pierre Boissonault are basically strangers outside of the tennis court, but the pair had an undeniable chemistry inside the lines after winning in the Canmore mixed doubles tennis tournament on Sunday (Aug. 18).

Having only met a week before the mixed doubles championship, Mora and Boissonault's new partnership was tested early and often.

In their first match, they took the first set 6-2, followed by a tight 6-7 loss in the second set before coming back in the tiebreaker and winning 10-5. They were on a roll in the semifinals, winning 6-2 and 7-5.

“In tennis, especially in doubles, it doesn't matter your age, your weight, your height or anything, [because] it’s such a calculated game," said Mora.

The new duo's skills were on full display in the finals when they faced off against the formidable Gail Quinn and Lyall Samaroden, who were undefeated up until that point.

“We've never entered a mixed doubles tournament we have not won,” said Quinn.

Mora and Boissonault lost the first set 3-6 against the veteran duo but countered with 6-1 victory in the following set.

“We all had amazing shots and some great paternal serves, and it was gritty,” said Samaroden. “We had a good run in the first set. They dominated the second set, and the tie breaker was close the whole game.”

The tie breaker had the crowd on the edge of their seats when the match kept going point-for-point, landing on a nail-biting score of 10-10.

Having to win by two points, the heated game continued until the underdog duo ultimately pulled out the upset victory, 12-10.

“You guys are really good, really strong,” said Mora to his opponents.

Mora moved from Costa Rica to the mountain town late last year and said the tennis community is reminiscent of back home.

“In Costa Rica we have something similar and just as nice,” he said. “This is really nice, everyone's so organized, everyone's so friendly, so nice. I'm so happy I found it.”

There were 24 participants on the courts trying to get their names etched on the trophy.

“The tournaments have been really well subscribed, and we're really excited about the two that are still coming up because we expect to have similar strong registrations,” said Karen Boyd.

Boyd said with the addition of the fresh new courts, the club has seen new growth and excitement around the sport.

“There's a whole new interest in tennis in the Bow Valley, and the club has seen a significant growth in participation and membership and just people playing in general,” she said.

“It's really exciting because you see new players coming to the game, older people playing the game, kids, everyone. It's been great and definitely growing on all fronts.”

From Aug. 23-25, women’s singles and men’s doubles take place at the courts, and from Sept. 6-8, the women’s doubles and men’s singles take place.

“We expect a really good turnout for those because men's doubles and singles and women's doubles and singles are very popular events, and we've got both advanced levels and intermediate levels and even a novice level for the singles,” said Boyd.