Gabriel Diallo Maintains Winning Streak at Madrid Open
Gabriel Diallo of Canada stunned Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria to advance to his first ATP Masters quarterfinal at the Madrid Open on Wednesday. Although Dimitrov, the tournament's top seed, secured the first set 7-5, Diallo, competing as a...
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Gabriel Diallo of Canada stunned Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria to advance to his first ATP Masters quarterfinal at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.
Although Dimitrov, the tournament's top seed, secured the first set 7-5, Diallo, competing as a lucky loser for the third time in four Masters appearances, showed remarkable resilience. He successfully defended two match points, reminiscent of his earlier victory over China's Zhang Zhizhen in the first round at Indian Wells in March, and maintained that determination to take control in the second set's tiebreak.
The 23-year-old managed to save three match points before winning the tiebreak 9-7 with an ace. He then captured the third set 6-4 when Dimitrov sent a shot wide. As a result of this victory, Diallo will ascend 25 positions to a career-high ranking of 53 and has the opportunity to climb even higher if he can defeat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and reach the semifinals.
Musetti has already secured his place in the top 10 for the first time following an impressive win over Australia’s Alex de Minaur to reach the quarterfinals. Demonstrating his skill on clay, Musetti won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and reached his first Masters 1000 final in Monte-Carlo less than three weeks ago. The 23-year-old held a 2-1 lead against De Minaur, clinching the first set 6-4.
The second set was more straightforward for Musetti, who won it 6-2 after De Minaur's backhand found the net. With this win, Musetti is set to become the sixth Italian man since 1973 to break into the Top 10 on Monday as he continues his quest for a maiden Masters title.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Although Dimitrov, the tournament's top seed, secured the first set 7-5, Diallo, competing as a lucky loser for the third time in four Masters appearances, showed remarkable resilience. He successfully defended two match points, reminiscent of his earlier victory over China's Zhang Zhizhen in the first round at Indian Wells in March, and maintained that determination to take control in the second set's tiebreak.
The 23-year-old managed to save three match points before winning the tiebreak 9-7 with an ace. He then captured the third set 6-4 when Dimitrov sent a shot wide. As a result of this victory, Diallo will ascend 25 positions to a career-high ranking of 53 and has the opportunity to climb even higher if he can defeat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and reach the semifinals.
Musetti has already secured his place in the top 10 for the first time following an impressive win over Australia’s Alex de Minaur to reach the quarterfinals. Demonstrating his skill on clay, Musetti won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and reached his first Masters 1000 final in Monte-Carlo less than three weeks ago. The 23-year-old held a 2-1 lead against De Minaur, clinching the first set 6-4.
The second set was more straightforward for Musetti, who won it 6-2 after De Minaur's backhand found the net. With this win, Musetti is set to become the sixth Italian man since 1973 to break into the Top 10 on Monday as he continues his quest for a maiden Masters title.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
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