Gabriel Diallo Shines at Almaty Open, Approaches First ATP Tour Final

Gabriel Diallo is making a name for himself at the Almaty Open, not just for his impressive performances on the court, but also for the personal connections he’s made off it. The Canadian tennis player has reached both his maiden ATP Tour quarter-final and semi-final, moving closer to breaking into the coveted Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings.

A Family Reunion in Almaty

A particularly memorable aspect of his week in Kazakhstan has been meeting a cousin on his mother’s side for the first time. Diallo shared his excitement:

“Here I met my cousin that I never met in my life before. My cousin lives here in Almaty and has been coming to my matches, so it’s pretty special. And I think it’s something that helped me throughout the week.”

After his tournament concludes, Diallo plans to do some sightseeing with his cousin, adding a personal touch to his competitive journey.

Impressive Performances

The 23-year-old showcased his skills on the court, defeating Alejandro Tabilo 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in challenging conditions amid Almaty’s high altitude. Earlier this year, Diallo struggled with a hip injury that disrupted the momentum he had built at the end of 2023. However, he credits his victory at the Chicago Challenger in late July, where he won without dropping a set, as a turning point in his season. Since that win, he has compiled an impressive 27-7 record.

Diallo’s performance in Almaty has pushed him closer to the Top 100. After defeating Tabilo, his live ranking surpassed the 100 mark, a significant milestone for the young athlete.

“Would be nice to keep going, keep climbing the rankings, but we keep a big focus on the process for sure,” Diallo stated, displaying a thoughtful approach to his career progression.

Focused on Improvement

The Montreal native has shown marked improvement in his game, particularly with his second serve, where he won 70 percent of his points against the tournament’s second seed. He acknowledged the importance of diversifying his game:

“It’s good for sure because you don’t want to be one-dimensional to the point that if you don’t make your first serve, you know you are in big trouble.”

Diallo is also aware of the competitive landscape, noting that despite his recent success, he must remain vigilant:

“I knew I was getting there. Before starting in Almaty I was 118, now I’m just inside (the Top 100), but there are guys behind me that are hungry, playing just as well, that are trying to make a move as well. So I got to keep focusing and doing my part.”

Celebrating Milestones

As Diallo continues to make strides in his career, he prefers to celebrate achievements in a measured way. After the tournament, he might indulge in a small treat, whether it be a piece of cake, a beer, a glass of wine, or even some poutine when he’s home. Regardless of the outcome of his match against fourth-seed Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday, his accomplishments in Almaty deserve recognition.

“The view is insane from the hotel,” Diallo remarked, noting the beautiful mountains surrounding the venue.

As he heads into the semi-finals, Diallo is not only on the cusp of his first ATP Tour final but also building a memorable chapter in his young career, fueled by family support and newfound confidence.