Debutant Diallo champion Libéma Open 2025

He came, he saw and, on his debut, won the title at Libéma Open. Gabriel Diallo was too strong for his good buddy Zizou Bergs in the final in two sets: 7-5 7-6(8).

The 23-year-old Canadian’s first campaign on the Brabant grass was memorable. Along the way, he survived two match points against multiple finalist Jordan Thompson and in the semi-final match, he defeated second seed Ugo Humbert.

In the title clash with Bergs, who could not follow the winning example of winner Elise Mertens, Diallo was able to prevent the match from getting a third set. In the tiebreak of the second game, he survived two set points and was able to finish the job against the Belgian with yet another fine backhand winner within two hours.

The match marked their second final on the ATP Tour for both men. Diallo was a finalist in Almaty last year.

Diallo’s win marked the first time Libéma Open has been won by a Canadian. The Montreal player is only the second player after Greg Rusedski to win a grass title on behalf of Canada.