Diallo rallies to get first win in Montreal

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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 percent 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.

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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. Jacquet, 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. Diallo pounced and let out a huge roar when he held from 0-30 to get to 4-1 in the second. Jacquet, playing in his first Masters 100 main draw, then waned at 2-2 in the third, authoring a double fault and forehand in the net.

There was no way back.

“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.

Photo: Pascal Ratthé