There’s no better way to begin the grass season than by winning a title – that’s exactly what Gabriel Diallo did.
In his first ATP Tour tournament on the lawn, the 23-year-old from Montreal won his first-career tour title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, defeating his future Wimbledon doubles partner Zizou Bergs 7-5, 7-6(8) in the Libema Open final on Sunday.
Diallo’s big serve was his X-factor throughout the tournament, winning 77 per cent of his first-serve points, and the final was no different. The Montreal-native finished with nine aces and won 76 per cent of his points on his first delivery while saving both break points he faced in the match.
The Canadian No. 3 put some pressure on Bergs’ serve early on, forcing deuce in the Belgian’s first three service games, but the Lommel-native held on each occasion.
The battle for the title was virtually at stalemate through the first ten games, only separated by one point in favour of the Canadian. At 5-5, Bergs held the match’s first break points at 15-40, however, Diallo won four-straight points to hold.
In the 12th game, 30-all, the Montreal-native put away a volley to hold break point and give him the chance to take the opening set. Bergs then sent his backhand long, part of his 23 unforced errors of the afternoon, as Diallo was one set away from hoisting the trophy.
To start the second, it was more of the same from the Canadian on serve, firing three aces in his first three service games.
In the tenth game, with Diallo leading 5-4, the world No. 55 needed a break to secure the title, however at 30-all, Diallo committed a pair of unforced errors to hand Bergs the vital hold. The Belgian held again in a crucial spot down 6-5 to send the set to a tiebreak.
Diallo had the ideal start, managing the early mini-break, but Bergs rallied to eventually even the tiebreaker.
At 4-all, the Canadian No. 3 couldn’t handle the Belgian’s forehand and Bergs found himself in a good spot after the mini-break. The world No. 63 won the ensuing point on serve to hold set point at 6-4, but Diallo won three-straight points to turn the tables and hold championship point.
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The Montreal-native couldn’t convert but had a second chance to wrap up the match at 9-8. After a lengthy rally, the 23-year-old powered a backhand winner, his 26th winner of the match, as Diallo dropped to the court in celebration of his maiden ATP Tour title.
“It’s something that you dream of for your whole life, to win an ATP Tour title” the Canadian said in the post-match interview. “It means the world to me. I’m happy, not only for myself, but for my whole team.”
Diallo became the fourth Canadian this century to win an ATP Tour singles title. The Canadian No. 3 will look for another in the coming weeks, kicking off his time at the Queen’s Club against British No. 4 Billy Harris in the Cinch Championships first round on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old will also crack the Top 50 for the first time on Monday.
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
