Gabriel Diallo’s upset loss knocked Canada out of the first singles match of the first round of Davis Cup qualifying on Friday.
Montreal’s Diallo, ranked 39th in the world, lost to Gustavo Hyde, ranked 253rd in the world, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-7(3) in a match that lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes at Douglas Mitchell Thunderbird Arena.
In the night’s opener, Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., won. Brazilian player Lucas Reis da Silva, ranked 145th in the world, defeated Lucas Reis da Silva, ranked 207th, 6-3, 6-3 in 75 minutes.
On paper, the 24-year-old Diallo is expected to have the upper hand against Hyde. Diallo, known for his serve, struggled in his second game, allowing Hyde to stay in the game and force Diallo into a mistake that drew cheers from UBC’s Brazilian fans.
Diallo came to Vancouver after losing to German Alexander Zverev in the first round of the Australian Open. Last year, his first full season on Tour, he broke into the top 50, reaching a peak ranking of No. 33. He won his first grass court title at the Dutch Open in Libema.
Draxl broke Reis da Silva’s serve three times in the first set and won the second set. On back-to-back games in the first game, he scored a point on a sight-crossing shot and then took command with a powerful overhand smash.
On Saturday, Draxell and Calgary’s Cliff Harper will face Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in doubles, while Diallo will face Reyes Da Silva in singles. If the best-of-five series requires a fifth deciding game, Drax will face Hyde in a singles match.
The Canadian team ranked 9th in the competition and the Brazilian team ranked 18th.
Harper and Draxl will face off against the Brazilian doubles pair who lost in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Also on Saturday, a ceremony will be held to honor Vernon, B.C., tennis veteran Vasek Pospisil, who recently announced his retirement.
If Team Canada wins this weekend, they will be guaranteed to host their next game at a yet-to-be-determined venue.
Last year, Canada lost to Hungary in the first round of 2025 qualifying at Montreal’s IGA Arena.
