No Canadian males stay in singles on the 2025 Australian Open after Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo have been each crushed within the second spherical of the 12 months’s first main on Thursday. Shapovalov misplaced in straight units to No. 16 seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, whereas Diallo was ousted by No. 19 seed Karen Khachanov in 4 units.
The losses got here lower than 24 hours after Félix Auger-Aliassime was additionally knocked out within the second spherical.
Shapovalov struggled with consistency all through his conflict with Musetti, significantly on serve. Regardless of preventing laborious to beat his difficulties, Shapovalov couldn’t get it collectively on the massive factors as he bowed out in Melbourne with a 7-6(3), 7-6(6), 6-2 loss.
The serve was not the place it wanted to be for Shapovalov on Thursday, as he double faulted 15 occasions and gained simply 43 per cent of his second serve factors. Whereas he did have extra winners, 37 to 26, he dedicated 62 unforced errors in simply three units of tennis.
It took time for each males to search out their rhythm on serve. In every man’s opening service recreation, they double-faulted at 30-all to offer their opponent a break level. Shapovalov saved his whereas Musetti missed a backhand, permitting the Canadian to race out to a 3-0 lead. Nevertheless, Shapovalov needed to save a break level to consolidate after which in his third service recreation, a framed smash tried put him in a love-40 gap the place Musetti picked off a drop shot for a backhand winner to place the set again on serve.
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Because the set went alongside, Musetti started to settle in whereas Shapovalov struggled with consistency. Three double faults when serving at 5-5 almost value the Canadian as he had save a pair of break factors in that recreation however survived. His struggles continued although and a slew of errors within the tiebreak put him in a 0-5 gap that he was unable to climb out of.
In consecutive video games early within the second set, every man had a double break level on the opposite’s serve however neither was in a position to convert. That was all of the returners have been in a position to muster and one other tiebreak was wanted.
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After exchanging minibreaks on the primary two factors, the 2 matched one another shot for shot with the servers hanging on. At 5-all, Shapovalov despatched a midcourt forehand lengthy handy the Italian a set level on his personal serve, however Musetti double-faulted. He ripped a forehand winner on the following level to get a re-examination and the Canadian gifted him the set with a double fault.
Between units, Shapovalov had a medical timeout and struggled to start out the third set. Within the opening recreation, he double-faulted to go down love-40 and netted a forehand on the second break level to right away fall behind.
The third set was one-way visitors for Musetti, who added a second break on his method to a fast 4-0 lead. Regardless of a few probabilities to reclaim one of many breaks within the sixth recreation, Shapovalov by no means got here near reeling the Italian again in.
Diallo Nonetheless Can’t Remedy Khachanov
Gabriel Diallo discovered himself dealing with off towards a well-known foe within the type of Karen Khachanov and, regardless of a robust efficiency by Montrealer, the outcome was sadly additionally acquainted, because the Canadian was crushed by the No. 19 seed for the third time within the final six months, this time in 4 units.
The second-round conflict featured two males with related types. Each possess huge serves, can wail on the ball from the baseline, and confirmed little hesitation to come back in and end on the internet. The margins between the pair have been razor skinny however Khachanov’s veteran expertise gained out ultimately as he superior with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.
Diallo’s firepower was on full show as he ripped 15 aces and 62 complete winners previous his opponent. However the match was selected the massive factors and people principally when Khachanov’s method. The veteran transformed three of his 10 break factors probabilities, whereas saving 4 of 5 on his personal serve.
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The primary couple of video games have been tough for Diallo on serve, as he let a 40-love lead slip away within the opening recreation after which needed to save a pair of break factors with some huge hitting at 2-2. He managed to cool down and had an opportunity to interrupt Khachanov at 4-3 after a giant return arrange a break level, however the veteran rifled a backhand down the road to maintain the set on serve.
Diallo gained the opening level of the tiebreak however that was the one time he led within the breaker. A passing shot winner gave Khachanov a 3-1 lead and whereas the Canadian managed to catch up, he by no means pulled forward. A missed backhand at 4-all arrange Khachanov to serve out the set, which he promptly did.
Each males had a have a look at 15-40 of their first return recreation of the second set however neither was in a position to convert. At 3-all, Diallo upped his depth on the Khachanov serve, blasting back-to-back winners to get one other have a look at 15-40 and this time, his big-hitting drew an error to attain the primary break of the match.
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That was sufficient for the Canadian, as he rode his serve the remainder of the best way, profitable eight of 9 factors on his personal supply to degree the match at a set apiece.
Halfway by way of the third set, having not but dropped serve all match, Diallo lastly blinked. Serving at 3-3, the Canadian double-faulted to go down 30-40 and netted a volley to give up the break.
He had an opportunity to attract again degree when Khachanov, after lacking two set factors at 40-15, netted a volley to go down 40-AD, however luck was on the veteran’s facet as his shot clipped the online twine and dribbled over, barely catching the road. Khachanov thanked the online with a kiss and went on to shut out the set.
Historical past repeated within the fourth set. Serving at 3-all, after lacking three recreation factors, Diallo missed consecutive backhands handy the break to his opponent. This time, there was no drama as Khachanov was in a position to shut out the match on Diallo’s serve within the ninth recreation, with the Canadian double faulting on match level.
Each Shapovalov and Diallo are anticipated to now make the journey to Montreal for Canada’s Davis Cup qualifier tie with Hungary at the start of February.
Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical tie between Canada and Hungary at the moment are on sale. Be part of us February 1 and a pair of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian staff begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Remaining 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.
