Gabriel Diallo’s first-ever match on the Australian Open was one to recollect. His victory over Italy’s Luca Nardi was the primary five-set win of the 23-year-old’s profession and the longest match win of his profession to this point at 4 hours and 9 minutes. Consequently, the Montrealer is off to the second spherical in Melbourne in his debut on the yr’s first main.
Diallo broke first in 4 of the 5 units however had a tough time sustaining the leads. Because the match went alongside, the Canadian started to claim himself an increasing number of and by the top, it was one-way site visitors as he reached the second spherical in Melbourne with a 6-7(1), 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory.
The error counts have been excessive for each males of the marathon battle, Diallo had 78 unforced errors whereas Nardi had 64, however the Canadian did a greater job of balancing out with winners, blasting 51 to his opponent’s 33. The 2 males had an identical variety of break level possibilities, 16 for Diallo and 15 for Nardi, however the Canadian was far more environment friendly, breaking serve seven instances whereas solely being damaged 4 instances.
Each males have been a bit nervy to begin the match and exchanged breaks within the fourth and fifth video games as they each struggled with errors on their very own serve. After that, they settled in and commenced buying and selling routine holds all the best way to the tiebreak.
There, it was all Nardi as he raced out to a 3-0 lead and by no means regarded again. The Canadian struggled to maintain the ball within the court docket as Nardi simply took a one-set lead.
Learn additionally: Auger-Aliassime Carries Momentum to Australian Open, Beats Struff in Opener
Diallo needed to battle early within the second set to blunt the Italian’s momentum, saving a few break factors as he held in a marathon sport for 1-1.
As soon as once more, it was the Canadian profiting from a sloppy sport from his opponent to interrupt first. This time, he capitalized to maneuver forward 3-2 and consolidated. He ultimately served for the set at 5-4 however as he regarded to shut it out, the forehand deserted him. Diallo missed 4 within the sport to place the set again on serve.
This time, he was in a position to get off to a quick begin within the tiebreak, racing out to a 5-1 lead. That was greater than sufficient cushion to even the match.
Learn additionally: ATP Energy Rankings – Sinner Appears to be like to Keep Dominant at Australian Open
Set three was a reverse of the earlier one, with Nardi breaking early, this time within the opening sport, and driving that lead till he served for the set, when he was damaged by Diallo. The comeback was short-lived nevertheless for the Canadian, as he fell behind love-40 within the following sport and the Italian ultimately struck a forehand winner to interrupt once more.
Nardi almost let the set slip away once more when he did not convert three set factors from 6-5, 40-love up, however Diallo dedicated back-to-back errors from deuce to go down two units to 1.
Trying to spark a comeback, Diallo got here out swinging to begin the fourth set. The Canadian gained eight of the primary 9 factors to take a fast 2-0 lead. Regardless of Nardi having an opportunity to interrupt again within the third sport, the Canadian by no means allowed the Italian again into it like he had within the first two units. Nardi himself was beginning to battle with errors and Diallo was glad to take benefit, racing out to a 5-0 lead and taking the set in simply 32 minutes.
Learn additionally: Fernandez Hangs On for Opening Win at Australian Open
He then carried the momentum into the decider, breaking in a marathon opening sport when Nardi double-faulted on the third break level.
With the lead, Diallo continued to ascend whereas Nardi pale. The Italian was struggling to maintain the ball in play whereas the Montrealer stored up his onslaught. Diallo by no means trailed on serve within the ultimate set and added yet one more break as he wanted simply 29 minutes to wrap up his first five-set victory.
Learn additionally: This Week in Tennis – The Australian Open Begins
Subsequent up for Diallo is a well-recognized face, 18th seed Karen Khachanov. The pair met twice in 2024, in Montreal and within the ultimate in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with the veteran successful on each events.
Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical tie between Canada and Hungary at the moment are on sale. Be part of us February 1 and a couple of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian staff begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Last 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.
