Gabriel Diallo advanced to the second round of Wimbledon on Tuesday by eliminating Benjamin Bonzi after the Frenchman retired in the fifth set. Diallo, who was down two rounds to nil, staged a great comeback and forced the deciding round. The Canadian had just beaten his opponent to take a 2-1 lead when Bonzi suddenly retired, allowing Diallo to advance to the second round.
You’d think Canada’s troubles at Wimbledon would continue on Tuesday when Diallo dropped two sets in less than an hour. But as the match progressed, he got his bearings and took control of the situation. The Montrealers led for most of the final two and a half sets until Bonzi retired after conceding early in the fifth set and Diallo led 1-6, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-1.
The match was marked by a contrast of styles, with Diallo giving it his all, signing 49 winners but making 32 unforced errors, while Bonzi was more consistent, accumulating just 13 unforced errors. Both players were broken four times each.
Bonzi got off to a strong start, scoring eight of the first nine points and breaking Diallo’s first serve. The Frenchman quickly took an early 3-0 lead before the Canadian scored. With the score at 3-1, the world number 93 scored 12 of the final 14 points to complete the set in just 22 minutes.
Read also: Auger-Aliassime saves furniture for Canadians at Wimbledon, Shapovalov surrenders
Diallo recovered in the second act and allowed only one run in the first two innings. However, at 2-2, he made numerous errors, giving his opponent two break points, and Bonzi allowing the second to take the lead.
Even if the Frenchman managed to make only one break in the set, it was enough for him, because he dominated on serve. Finding himself in an advantageous position, Bonzi lost just one point on serve for the rest of the set, taking a comfortable two-set lead.
Read also: Strength in the presence of the ATP – Sinner seeking redemption at Wimbledon
Despite this delay, Diallo improved as the match progressed. At the beginning of the third period, he began to put pressure on his opponent’s serve, and in the fourth game he created his first break opportunities at 15-40. While Bonzi managed to get out of trouble, the Canadian did not give up, forcing his opponent to make two errors in a row with the score at 40-40 and a 3-1 lead.
However, Diallo was unable to take advantage of this opportunity and was defeated in the next game. Both protagonists headed into the decider, and it wasn’t until the end that Montrealer capitalized on an error from Bonzi’s forehand at the Canadian’s set point.
A similar scenario occurred in the fourth act, with Diallo scoring a break to take a 2-1 lead but struggling to build on his lead. The Canadian lost 15-40, then with a 40 advantage, but, unlike in the third set, he managed to repel his opponent’s attempts to confirm his break.
Read also: Auger-Aliassime could face Djokovic and Sinner at Wimbledon – table analysis
The rest of the round was not easy for the Montrealer, but he knew how to keep his cool. At 4-3, Bonzi had several chances to level the match, but Diallo used the power of his shots to erase break points and defended his lead to come within one game of clinching the set. With Bonzi serving at 3-5, the Canadian was offered a set point and quickly seized the opportunity with a return that proved too powerful for the Frenchman.
As in the previous two rounds, Diallo applied pressure from the start. In the fourth game, on Bonzi’s serve, the Canadian faced three break points, and it was thanks to a forehand winner that he took the score to 3-1.
Read also: Dabrowski and Stephanie crowned Eastbourne doubles champions
This shot proved to be the last of the match as Bonzi immediately called for a physiotherapist. After a medical time-out, he gave in, allowing Diallo to advance to the second round of Wimbledon for the second year in a row.
In the next round, Diallo will meet Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
The Davis Cup will be held in Quebec on September 18 and 19. Team Canada will face France in the second round of qualifying. Tickets are already on sale.!
Photo by Vedette: Martin Sydoryak