Olaniyi AyoolaCanadian tennis players Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo both showcased resilience in their respective second-round matches at the 2024 French Open but ultimately fell short of completing comebacks.
Shapovalov, ranked No. 118, faced the formidable No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz. After dropping the first two sets 6-3 and 7-6(0), Shapovalov rallied to take the third set 6-4, displaying his trademark aggressive play. However, Hurkacz’s powerful serve and consistent baseline play proved too much, as he closed out the match with a 6-1 fourth set. Despite hitting 35 winners, Shapovalov was hampered by 51 unforced errors and six double faults, which ultimately contributed to his defeat.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Diallo, making his Grand Slam main draw debut, faced veteran Kei Nishikori. Diallo found himself two sets down but mounted an impressive comeback, winning the third and fourth sets 6-3 and 6-1, respectively. In the deciding fifth set, Diallo continued to battle but was broken late, leading to a 7-5 final set loss. Despite the defeat, Diallo’s performance, highlighted by 15 aces and a 70% first-serve win rate, demonstrated his potential on the big stage.
Both matches underscore the tenacity of these Canadian players, who, despite their losses, showed promise and determination against seasoned opponents.
Olaniyi Ayoola
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