Shapovalov and Diallo Fall in Second Round at Roland-Garros
According to Tennis Canada, Canadian tennis players Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo both fell short in the second round at Roland-Garros on Thursday. Shapovalov, the 26-year-old from Richmond Hill, lost to Austrian No. 2 Filip Misolic in a thrilling five-set match, 7-6(5), 7-6(6), 4-6, 4-6, 6-3.
The match was a closely contested affair, with Shapovalov converting 38 per cent of his break points, but struggling on serve in crucial moments, winning 68 per cent of his first-serve points and 51 per cent on his second delivery. As Tennis Canada reports, Shapovalov got off to an ideal start, securing the early break in the opening game, but was unable to close out the set, ultimately dropping the opener in a tiebreaker.
In the second set, Shapovalov found himself down a minibreak, but from 2-4, he won four-straight points to hold a pair of set points. However, Misolic responded with four-straight points of his own, firing a trio of winners to take a two-set lead. Shapovalov extended the match by breezing through the third set, converting on his two break points early in the set to jump ahead to a 4-1 lead.
As noted by Tennis Canada, Shapovalov served out the set to stay in the match, but ultimately fell short, losing the final set 6-3. The Austrian will play three-time Roland-Garros winner Novak Djokovic in the third round.
In other Canadian news, Gabriel Diallo was unable to back up his upset round-one win over Francisco Cerundolo, bowing out in the second round to Tallon Griekspoor in four sets, 7-5, 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-3. As Tennis Canada reports, Diallo showed flashes of brilliance, but was unable to maintain control for any significant length of time, with Griekspoor playing better in the clutch moments.
The match was closely contested, with both players breaking serve six times, having the same number of aces and double faults, and winning the same percentage of first-serve points. Diallo had more winners, 51 to 39, but also committed three more unforced errors. In the end, Griekspoor won just four more total points.
Diallo still remains in the doubles draw after a first-round win on Wednesday, while Victoria Mboko is the only Canadian alive in singles. As Tennis Canada notes, Griekspoor got hot early in the first set, winning 12 of the next 13 points, including a break, to race out to a quick 4-1 lead, but Diallo responded with a run of his own to claw back to 4-4.
Despite the loss, Diallo appeared to redeem himself with a break to open the second set, but Griekspoor quickly turned the tables, breaking right back to kick off a four-game run. As Tennis Canada reports, Diallo rallied from a 1-4 deficit to get back to 4-4, but struggled in the tiebreak, ultimately falling behind 5-1.
The Dutchman took control of the match, winning the second set and taking a two-set lead. However, Diallo extended the match by winning the third set, but ultimately fell short in the fourth, losing 6-3.
The results mean that only Victoria Mboko remains in the singles draw for Canada, while Diallo continues to compete in the doubles draw.
