Summary:
- Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo is the only Canadian left in singles at the National Bank Open.
- He’ll face No. 2 seed Taylor Fritz in a Friday night rematch of their five-set Wimbledon clash.
- Diallo’s current No. 36 ranking is a result of his strong serve and steady rise.
By Thursday afternoon at the National Bank Open, it was clear just how much buzz Gabriel Diallo has been generating.
Crowds were struggling to catch a quick glance at the towering six-foot-eight Montreal native during his doubles match on Court 1.
Tiafoe: “He’s Going to Win a Lot of Matches.”
Now, following his 6-3, 7-6 (5) win against victory Italian Matteo Gigante, the 23-year-old Canadian stands alone as the last Canadian in the 96-man singles draw, and all eyes are, once again, on him.
Ranked No. 36 in the world, Gabriel Diallo has surged more than 100 spots over the past year, thanks in part to his recent title win in Den Bosch, the Netherlands. He’s set to face second seed Taylor Fritz on Friday night in a high-stakes rematch of their Wimbledon showdown, which Fritz narrowly won in five sets.
I have the level to compete with those (top) guys. So it was a big eye opener for me and for my team. We’re really happy about that match. I wish the outcome was a little bit different, but overall (it was) very good and (I’m) looking forward (to) tomorrow.
He’s earned respect from fellow pros, including world No. 13 Frances Tiafoe.
He’s not Canada’s hope, he’s here, man,” Tiafoe said. “He’s going to win a lot of matches.
Diallo’s Thursday game was impressive, clocking at 223 km/h, while his baseline shots were equally fierce. However, the player also brings variety and knows how to keep his opponents guessing.
Next to Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Quebec, Diallo defeated American Alex Michelsen and Tiafoe 7-6 (6), 6-2.
Laurendeau: “He’s Not Even Halfway There Yet”
Coach Martin Laurendeau sees only more upside ahead.
I’m so excited because I think he’s not even halfway there yet. I mean as much as he’s improved and as good as he is right now being ranked 36th in the world, I feel like I’ve got a notebook full of things that I need to work on with him still.
Diallo is aware of the edge that the Sobeys Stadium crowd will give him, as long as he knows how to use it right.
It’s going to give me strength and energy. So I’ve just got to manage it right and use it at the right moment. Play with courage and be myself in the big moments, which is what you need to do against the best players.
Meanwhile, top Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov ended their run for a national title early. In doubles, Diallo and Alexis Galarneau lost to Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen.
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