The recent National Bank Open in Toronto has undeniably become a focal point for Canadian sports enthusiasts, largely due to the magnetic presence of Gabriel Diallo. A casual glance at the Court 1 grandstand on Thursday vividly illustrated the burgeoning public interest in this young Canadian tennis rising star, with spectators crowding every available space, eager for even a partial glimpse of the towering six-foot-eight right-hander.

Diallo, a 23-year-old from Montreal, has experienced a meteoric rise in the global rankings, now standing proudly at No. 36. His rapid ascent marks him as the last remaining Canadian in the prestigious singles draw at this Masters 1000 event, a testament to his burgeoning skill and determination on the ATP Tour.

His on-court arsenal is formidable and multifaceted. Diallo boasts a powerful, booming serve, clocked at an astonishing 223 km/h on Thursday, complemented by robust groundstrokes. Yet, it is his comprehensive game, encompassing an array of other strategic weapons, that truly keeps opponents guessing and elevates his play.

Beyond his physical prowess, Diallo exudes a quiet confidence that belies his age. “I have the level to compete with those (top) guys,” he affirmed, reflecting on his recent performances. This self-belief and strategic understanding represent a significant “eye opener” not just for himself but for his entire team, fueling their optimism for his future trajectory in Canadian tennis.

As the No. 27 seed in the tournament, Diallo enjoyed a first-round bye in singles before convincingly defeating Italian wild-card entry Matteo Gigante in the second round. His upcoming Friday night showcase match at Sobeys Stadium against second-seeded American Taylor Fritz is highly anticipated, with a vocal Centre Court home crowd expected to rally passionately behind him.

Diallo’s success stands in stark contrast to the early exits of his higher-seeded compatriots. Both Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 21, and Denis Shapovalov, No. 22, were eliminated in their opening matches earlier in the week, further spotlighting Diallo’s unexpected and impressive run.

While his singles journey continues, Diallo also participated in doubles, partnering with Alexis Galarneau. Though they dropped a competitive 7-6 (6), 6-2 decision to the American duo of Alex Michelsen and Frances Tiafoe, the experience undoubtedly contributed to his overall tournament readiness. Another Canadian wild-card pair, Cleeve Harper and Liam Draxl, secured a notable 7-5, 7-5 win in their doubles match, adding to the local excitement at the National Bank Open. This is truly significant sports news.