Gabriel Diallo thrilled the home crowd by staging a comeback to defeat Kyrian Jacquet 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-2 in a captivating first-round match under the lights at the National Bank Open.
Diallo, a local talent hailing from Villeray just minutes away from Montreal’s IGA Stadium, showcased his explosive forehand winners and powerful serves, delighting the fans with his performance. This victory not only marked Diallo’s first main draw win in his hometown but also his 50th tour-level triumph.
Reflecting on his win, Diallo expressed his satisfaction with his stellar play, emphasizing the support he received from the familiar faces in the crowd. Breaking his opponent’s serve three times without facing a break on his own, Diallo displayed composure and skill throughout the match.
After a tightly contested first set that went to a tiebreak, Diallo bounced back strongly by securing an early break in the second set, eventually dominating to force a decisive third set. In the final set, Diallo capitalized on crucial break opportunities to clinch the win and advance to the next round.
Looking ahead, Diallo is set to face off against No. 19 seed Luciano Darderi of Italy in his second-round match on Centre Court Tuesday night, aiming to continue his impressive run in front of the home crowd.
