Gabriel Diallo Triumphs in Five-Set Thriller at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — Canadian tennis player Gabriel Diallo made a dramatic debut at the Australian Open on Tuesday, defeating Italy’s Luca Nardi in a grueling five-set match that lasted over four hours. The 23-year-old Montrealer, ranked 86th in the world, emerged victorious with a score of 6-7 (7/1), 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

Diallo’s hard-fought win sets up a second-round clash with Russia’s Karen Khachanov, the 19th-ranked player in the world. Khachanov, who defeated France’s Adrian Mannarino in straight sets, has previously beaten Diallo in both of their prior ATP Tour encounters, including a final in Almaty, Kazakhstan, last October.

“It was a tough battle, but I stayed focused and trusted my game,” Diallo said after the match. “Playing against someone like Khachanov next will be a great challenge, but I’m ready to give it my all.”

In other first-round action, Ontario’s Denis Shapovalov, ranked 56th, overcame Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (10/8). Shapovalov will face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, the 15th seed, in the next round.

The tournament also saw a major upset as 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, ranked 112th, stunned ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev in straight sets. Rublev, a quarterfinalist at last year’s Australian Open, became one of the highest-profile exits in the early stages of the tournament.

Meanwhile, American Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, cruised past compatriot Jenson Brooksby in straight sets, while Italy’s Matteo Berrettini defeated Britain’s Cameron Norrie in four sets.

The Australian Open continues to deliver thrilling matches as players vie for a spot in the second round of the season’s first Grand Slam event.