In an exciting opener at the HSBC Championships, top seed Alex de Minaur from Australia triumphed over Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo with a score of 7-6 (8), 6-3.
The first set showcased an intense battle, culminating in a thrilling tiebreaker where de Minaur capitalized on Diallo’s unforced error at set point.
Seizing momentum in the second set, the Australian executed a crucial break to advance to a 3-1 lead.
Despite Diallo’s efforts, failing to convert three game points, de Minaur finally clinched a break after a grueling 15-minute and 25-second game.
Next, de Minaur will face Denis Shapovalov from Richmond Hill, Ont., at the ATP 500 grass-court tournament held at London’s Queen’s Club. Shapovalov made a comeback by breaking a five-match losing streak with his first-round win over Jack Pinnington Jones of Britain.
Meanwhile, Diallo, whose world ranking took a hit dropping to No. 84 after struggling to defend his title at last week’s Libema Open, now holds a season record of 6-15.
