Shapovalov, Diallo Eliminated in Round Two of Australian Open

No Canadian males stay in singles on the 2025 Australian Open after Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo have been each crushed within the second spherical of the yr’s first main on Thursday. Shapovalov misplaced in straight units to No. 16 seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, whereas Diallo was ousted by No. 19 seed Karen Khachanov in 4 units. 

The losses got here lower than 24 hours after Félix Auger-Aliassime was additionally knocked out within the second spherical. 

Shapovalov struggled with consistency all through his conflict with Musetti, notably on serve. Regardless of combating onerous to beat his difficulties, Shapovalov couldn’t get it collectively on the large factors as he bowed out in Melbourne with a 7-6(3), 7-6(6), 6-2 loss. 

The serve was not the place it wanted to be for Shapovalov on Thursday, as he double faulted 15 instances and gained simply 43 per cent of his second serve factors. Whereas he did have extra winners, 37 to 26, he dedicated 62 unforced errors in simply three units of tennis.  

It took time for each males to search out their rhythm on serve. In every man’s opening service recreation, they double-faulted at 30-all to present their opponent a break level. Shapovalov saved his whereas Musetti missed a backhand, permitting the Canadian to race out to a 3-0 lead. Nonetheless, Shapovalov needed to save a break level to consolidate after which in his third service recreation, a framed smash try put him in a love-40 gap the place Musetti picked off a drop shot for a backhand winner to place the set again on serve. 

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Because the set went alongside, Musetti started to settle in whereas Shapovalov struggled with consistency. Three double faults when serving at 5-5 almost price the Canadian as he had save a pair of break factors in that recreation however survived. His struggles continued although and a slew of errors within the tiebreak put him in a 0-5 gap that he was unable to climb out of. 

In consecutive video games early within the second set, every man had a double break level on the opposite’s serve however neither was capable of convert. That was all of the returners have been capable of muster and one other tiebreak was wanted. 

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After exchanging minibreaks on the primary two factors, the 2 matched one another shot for shot with the servers hanging on. At 5-all, Shapovalov despatched a midcourt forehand lengthy at hand the Italian a set level on his personal serve, however Musetti double-faulted. He ripped a forehand winner on the following level to get a re-examination and the Canadian gifted him the set with a double fault. 

Between units, Shapovalov had a medical timeout and struggled to begin the third set. Within the opening recreation, he double-faulted to go down love-40 and netted a forehand on the second break level to instantly fall behind. 

The third set was one-way site visitors for Musetti, who added a second break on his solution to a fast 4-0 lead. Regardless of a few probabilities to reclaim one of many breaks within the sixth recreation, Shapovalov by no means got here near reeling the Italian again in. 

Diallo Nonetheless Can’t Remedy Khachanov 

Gabriel Diallo discovered himself dealing with off towards a well-known foe within the type of Karen Khachanov and, regardless of a powerful efficiency by Montrealer, the consequence was sadly additionally acquainted, because the Canadian was crushed by the No. 19 seed for the third time within the final six months, this time in 4 units. 

The second-round conflict featured two males with related types. Each possess huge serves, can wail on the ball from the baseline, and confirmed little hesitation to return in and end on the web. The margins between the pair have been razor skinny however Khachanov’s veteran expertise gained out in the long run as he superior with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win. 

Diallo’s firepower was on full show as he ripped 15 aces and 62 whole winners previous his opponent. However the match was selected the large factors and people principally when Khachanov’s means. The veteran transformed three of his 10 break factors probabilities, whereas saving 4 of 5 on his personal serve. 

Learn additionally: Diallo Marks Australian Open Debut with First 5-Set Win

The primary couple of video games have been tough for Diallo on serve, as he let a 40-love lead slip away within the opening recreation after which needed to save a pair of break factors with some huge hitting at 2-2. He managed to calm down and had an opportunity to interrupt Khachanov at 4-3 after a giant return arrange a break level, however the veteran rifled a backhand down the road to maintain the set on serve. 

Diallo gained the opening level of the tiebreak however that was the one time he led within the breaker. A passing shot winner gave Khachanov a 3-1 lead and whereas the Canadian managed to catch up, he by no means pulled forward. A missed backhand at 4-all arrange Khachanov to serve out the set, which he promptly did.  

Each males had a have a look at 15-40 of their first return recreation of the second set however neither was capable of convert. At 3-all, Diallo upped his depth on the Khachanov serve, blasting back-to-back winners to get one other have a look at 15-40 and this time, his big-hitting drew an error to attain the primary break of the match. 

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That was sufficient for the Canadian, as he rode his serve the remainder of the way in which, successful eight of 9 factors on his personal supply to stage the match at a set apiece. 

Halfway by way of the third set, having not but dropped serve all match, Diallo lastly blinked. Serving at 3-3, the Canadian double-faulted to go down 30-40 and netted a volley to give up the break.

He had an opportunity to attract again stage when Khachanov, after lacking two set factors at 40-15, netted a volley to go down 40-AD, however luck was on the veteran’s facet as his shot clipped the online twine and dribbled over, barely catching the road. Khachanov thanked the online with a kiss and went on to shut out the set. 

Historical past repeated within the fourth set. Serving at 3-all, after lacking three recreation factors, Diallo missed consecutive backhands at hand the break to his opponent. This time, there was no drama as Khachanov was capable of shut out the match on Diallo’s serve within the ninth recreation, with the Canadian double faulting on match level. 

Each Shapovalov and Diallo are anticipated to now make the journey to Montreal for Canada’s Davis Cup qualifier tie with Hungary at first of February.  

Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical tie between Canada and Hungary are actually on sale. Be a part of us February 1 and a couple of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian workforce begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Last 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.