Even though Gabriel Diallo’s ranking this week fell outside the Top 100 for the first time since the end of 2024, he had something to look forward to — playing at home at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
With the boisterous fans behind him, he took his chance. The wildcard, who grew up within touching distance of IGA Stadium, beat qualifier Kyrian Jacquet 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 to collect his first win in Montreal.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “I thought I played amazing tennis. He played some good shots as well. I stayed positive. The crowd was behind me the whole match. They kept me pushing. I had some chances, and I took them.”
Diallo didn’t buckle during Monday’s night session on Centre Court, despite being overwhelmed by the Frenchman in the first set tiebreaker. He never faced a break point and won 77 per cent of his first-serve points, reminiscent of the form that saw Diallo win a tour title and crack the Top 35 last year. This year has been much harder, hindered by a back injury while also acclimatizing to a still relatively new coaching team from Sweden.
At 6-foot-8, Diallo can slam those big serves and follow up with early opportunities in rallies. Jacquet, ranked no. 121, stands 5-foot-9 so doesn’t possess the same firepower, but he often sizzled with his backhand, especially during the first set tiebreak when he rattled off seven straight points.
The Frenchman, who practices meditation and visualization, didn’t seem to be fazed by the pro-Diallo crowd. A lapse in concentration right at the start of the second set, though, turned proceedings around. Jacquet’s level dropped and Diallo pounced, letting out a huge roar when he held from 0-30 to get to 4-1 in the second. Jacquet, playing in his first Masters 1000 main draw, then waned at 2-2 in the third, authoring a double fault and a forehand in the net.
There was no way back.
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“He played better than me in the first set,” said Diallo. “I kept telling myself that I was going to get chances. Kept looking for my shots, my forehand, I was lucky enough to produce a bad game from him at the beginning of the second and I think the momentum carried on for the rest of the match.”
Diallo will be back for the night session on Tuesday as he meets No. 19 Luciano Darderi of Italy. The feisty Darderi is better known for his play on clay and retired with a wrist injury last week in Los Cabos.
Maybe Diallo is on the way to something special in his hometown.
Galarneau goes down swinging
Alexis Galarneau couldn’t make up for a poor start at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, but didn’t go down without a fight.
The 27-year-old native of Laval — about a half-hour drive from IGA Stadium in Montreal — lost to Vit Kopriva of Czechia 6-4, 6-4 in the first round, a year after he picked up his lone ATP win at the NBO against Arthur Rinderknech.
Kopriva just had more zip on his serve and ground strokes, evidenced by 11 winners (to five) and 74 per cent first-serve points won compared to Galarneau’s 55.
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“I’ll try to focus on the positives,” said Galarneau. “At the moment, it still hurts in the heart but that’s the beauty of sport. In moments like this, maybe it could be a turning point in my career.”
Kopriva might be a reference point for Galarneau. It took the 29-year-old 10 years to reach the coveted Top 100 in the rankings, a place Galarneau wants to get to.
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After an early rain delay on Centre Court, Kopriva grabbed a double-break lead for 5-2. When the world No. 71 missed out on a set point, though, things got interesting.
Galarneau reeled off nine straight points as he threatened to get back on serve. He pointed to his ear, orchestrating his home fans, after pulling off a backhand volley winner to cap a 22-shot rally. But with time on a forehand and Kopriva exposed on break point, Galarneau sent a forehand into the net. Chance missed. Kopriva held and built on the momentum, breaking for 2-1 in the second with a deft drop shot, before another rain delay. It was perfect timing for Galarneau, who duly broke back when they resumed around 90 minutes later. Yet Kopriva took control again, the sun now peeking out.
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History then repeated itself.
Almost out of it, Galarneau fought back, saving five match points, leading the Montreal fans to raise their voice. Yet on match point No. 6, Galarneau sent a tame backhand into the net to end Kopriva’s four-match losing streak.
“I think I had a good attitude right until the end,” said Galarneau.
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Feature Photo: Amelie Caron
