Diallo topples Cerundolo, advances to first profession ATP ultimate

Gabriel Diallo’s week of milestones reached new heights on Saturday, as he superior to his first profession ATP ultimate with a complete 6-4, 6-2 win over Francisco Cerundolo on the Almaty Open.

The 23-year-old fired 5 aces, struck 17 winners, and transformed all three of his break level possibilities, cruising to the decisive semifinal win in simply 67 minutes. The win additionally ensures the Montreal native a spot within the prime 100 of the ATP rankings on Monday.

A day after upsetting the second seeded Alejandro Tabilo with a come-from-behind victory to achieve his first-ever ATP semifinal, the Canadian got here out medical towards the world No. 31 from Argentina.

Each gamers appeared comfy within the phases on the quick indoor floor in Kazakhstan, buying and selling consecutive holds by way of the primary six video games of the match. Diallo discovered his first opening within the seventh recreation, and on his first break alternative capitalized on a backhand error from the Argentine to take a 4-3 lead.

The Canadian escaped a 0-30 gap by firing a pair of aces and two unreturned first serves to consolidate his break. He would once more get out of a 0-30 jam at 5-4, utilizing his punishing serve to win 4 consecutive factors and seal the primary set in 35 minutes.  

Within the second set, the Montreal native raced out of the gates, promptly breaking the fourth seed to like within the opening recreation. A double fault from Cerundolo would present a second break as Diallo started to run away with the match, holding for a commanding 4-0 lead.

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The Argentinian lastly snapped Diallo’s run of 5 consecutive video games with a service maintain, however with the end line in sight, the 23-year-old stayed calm and composed.

Serving for a spot within the ultimate, Diallo denied Cerundolo his solely break level likelihood of the match with a backhand winner, earlier than drawing an unforced error on match level to wrap up the straight units win.

The Canadian, who additionally reached the third spherical of the US Open earlier this summer season, ensures a spot within the prime 100 of the ATP Rankings on Monday.

He advances to face the winner of Karen Khachanov and Aleksandar Vukic within the finals on Sunday.