Gabriel Diallo dialled in during breakout Almaty run | ATP Tour

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Diallo dialled in throughout breakout Almaty run

Cheered on by cousin, Canadian on cusp of first ATP Tour ultimate

October 18, 2024

Gabriel Diallo gained’t quickly neglect this week’s Almaty Open and it’s not solely due to what the Canadian has accomplished on courtroom.

Sure, Diallo reached a maiden ATP Tour quarter-final and now semi-final to maneuver nearer to the wanted High 100 within the PIF ATP Rankings benchmark. However the newly turned 23-year-old additionally obtained to fulfill an older member of the family on his mother’s aspect for the primary time.

“Right here I met my cousin that I by no means met in my life earlier than,” he mentioned. “My cousin lives right here in Almaty and has been coming to my matches, so it’s fairly particular. And I believe it’s one thing that helped me all through the week.”

Diallo even intends to do some sightseeing along with his cousin after his final match.

That would nonetheless be a few days away, because the 6-foot-8 massive server beat Alejandro Tabilo 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 amid Almaty’s excessive altitude on Friday to land within the final 4.

A hip damage affected the Montrealer earlier within the 12 months to halt the momentum garnered from the top of 2023.

However the former College of Kentucky standout mentioned that profitable the Chicago Challenger in late July with out dropping a set proved pivotal in his upturn. In all matches since that Challenger started, Diallo sports activities a 27-7 document.

Having been as excessive as No. 103 within the rankings in September after a 3rd spherical displaying as a qualifier on the US Open, Diallo’s reside rating eclipsed the High 100 instantly following victory in opposition to the Canadian-born Tabilo.

“Could be good to maintain going, hold climbing the rankings however we hold a giant give attention to the method for certain,” mentioned Diallo.

It was a measured reply from the well-spoken Diallo but he admits that he does spend his share of time glancing on the rankings.

“I do, particularly after final week. I needed to defend factors and I managed to defend a giant chunk,” mentioned Diallo, who gained the Bratislava Challenger 12 months in the past. “So I knew I used to be getting there. Earlier than beginning in Almaty I used to be 118, now I’m simply inside (the High 100) however there are guys behind me which are hungry, enjoying simply as properly, which are attempting to make a transfer as properly. So I obtained to maintain focusing and doing my half.”

In his nonetheless younger ATP main-draw profession, Diallo achieved one other private finest Friday by tallying 70 per cent of his second-serve factors in opposition to the second seed.

“It’s good for certain since you don’t wish to be one dimensional to the purpose that in the event you don’t make your first serve, you’re in massive hassle,” he mentioned.

He’s the kind of participant that likes to rejoice profession milestones with out going overboard when his match wraps up. Which may imply consuming slightly cake, having one beer, a glass of wine or when he’s at house, having fun with poutine.

What he has achieved in Almaty little doubt deserves a deal with, even when Diallo loses Saturday versus fourth-seed Francisco Cerundolo. The match lodge may be the place to begin.

“The view is insane from the lodge,” mentioned Diallo. “We obtained the mountains.”