National Bank Open | Gabriel Diallo surprises James Duckworth in qualifying

(Montreal) Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo caused a big upset by eliminating Australian James Duckworth, 59^e world player, in the first qualifying round of the National Bank Tennis Open on Saturday.

Diallo, a 20-year-old six-foot-seven 665-rated giant^e in the world, toppled fourth-seeded Duckworth in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (5) in a 91-minute duel.

Diallo had eight aces, including six in the first set, which he won in 29 minutes. In that opening set, he won 14 out of 15 points after slotting his first serve in play, and faced no break points.

Moreover, he created only one break chance, which he exploited in the sixth game to give himself a 4-2 lead.

As the score indicates, the second set was much closer. Diallo took the lead with a break in the third game, but Duckworth brought it back to even serve with his only break of the match in the sixth game.

Diallo also saved a set point during the 10^e game, at his service.

During the decisive tiebreaker, Diallo and Duckworth exchanged two mini-breaks each before the Montrealer ended the match by stealing another point on his opponent’s serve.

Diallo, who is taking part in the qualifying round after receiving a free pass from tournament organizers, will have a chance to get his ticket to the main draw if he defeats Frenchman Hugo Gaston on Sunday.

Gaston, ranked 74^e at ATP and seeded eighth in qualifying, reached the second round when rival Michael Mmoh of the United States retired after losing the first three games of the opening set.

Diallo’s victory was the only one among the first five Canadians to step onto the courts at the IGA Stadium on Saturday.

Montrealer Jaden Weekes notably lost 6-3, 6-4 to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier.

Weekes, who is 17 and ranked 21^e among the juniors, forced the 79^e world racket to draw on its reserves during an 87-minute duel.

Toronto’s Kelsey Stevenson also lost in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1 to Italian veteran Fabio Fognini, as did Liam Draxl, who lost 6-4, 6-2 to Japan’s Taro Daniel.

Finally, adopted Montrealer Juan Carlos Aguilar, 963^e in the ATP rankings forced Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, 69^e World Cup, to spend almost three hours on the pitch, before finally losing 3-6, 7-6 (8), 4-6.

Later Saturday, Toronto’s Steven Diez faced Australian Alexei Popyrin.

The first round of the main draw will begin on Monday, with the tournament final next Sunday, August 14.