Canada’s Diallo, Shapovalov eliminated in second round of French Open

Canada’s hopes in the men’s singles draw at the French Open were dashed in the second round as both Gabriel Diallo and Denis Shapovalov were eliminated from the tournament. It was a disappointing day for Canadian tennis fans, with the nation’s top male players unable to advance further on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Gabriel Diallo, currently ranked outside the top 100, faced a tough opponent in 11th seed Alex de Minaur of Australia. Despite showing flashes of his potential and putting up a spirited fight, Diallo struggled to keep up with de Minaur’s relentless pace and court coverage. The Australian’s consistency and experience proved too much for Diallo, who ultimately lost in straight sets. While the result wasn’t in his favor, Diallo’s performance showed promise, especially considering his relatively limited experience at Grand Slam events. This was only his second main-draw appearance at Roland Garros.

Meanwhile, Denis Shapovalov, once ranked as high as No. 10 in the world, also exited in the second round after a challenging match against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Shapovalov’s game, known for its flair and explosiveness, was undermined by inconsistency and unforced errors. After taking the first set, the Canadian struggled to maintain momentum. Arnaldi capitalized on Shapovalov’s dips in focus and rhythm, ultimately securing a four-set victory. For Shapovalov, the result marks another setback in his quest to rediscover the form that once made him a formidable presence on the ATP Tour. His recent struggles with injury and form have left him seeking answers as he aims to rebound during the grass-court season.

The early exits of Diallo and Shapovalov leave Canada without male representation in the third round of the French Open, a reminder of the volatility and difficulty of clay-court tennis, particularly for players who are more accustomed to faster surfaces. With Félix Auger-Aliassime also eliminated in the first round, the focus now shifts to the Canadian women still active in the draw.

Despite the losses, both players can take valuable lessons from their time in Paris. Diallo continues to gain critical experience at the sport’s highest level, while Shapovalov will aim to reset and regroup ahead of Wimbledon. For Canadian tennis, the hope remains that this generation can still make a breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage.