Tallon Griekspoor has qualified for the third round of Roland Garros for the second time in his career on Thursday. The 28-year-old from North Holland was too strong for the Canadian Gabriel Diallo in four sets: 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-1, and 3-6.
Griekspoor (ATP-35) was on paper the favorite against Diallo, the world number 54. After more than three hours, Griekspoor confirmed that status with a place in the third round.
For Griekspoor, the place in the third round is a repeat of his best performance ever in Paris. Last year, the best tennis player in the Netherlands also reached the third round of Roland Garros. Then he had to acknowledge his superior in Alexander Zverev, who eliminated Jesper de Jong this year.
In the next round, Griekspoor will face the winner of the match between the Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko or Ethan Quinn from the United States. Griekspoor won in the first round against the American Marcos Giron.
Due to De Jong’s elimination, Griekspoor is the only Dutchman left in the Parisian clay tournament. Kiki Bertens was the last Dutch player to reach the fourth round in Paris in 2020.
Griekspoor destroys racket after setback
The Dutchman took a 1-4 lead in the first set but gave that margin away. Griekspoor recovered and took the first set 7-5.
Also in the second set, Griekspoor lost a 1-4 lead after which he did not have his emotions under control. The Dutchman broke his racket with his foot after a failed serve-volley. Earlier this month, he destroyed no fewer than two rackets during a match in Rome.
In the tiebreak that followed, Griekspoor served much better than Diallo. The second set thus became a prey for the tennis player from Nieuw-Vennep.
Griekspoor could then have finished the job in three sets, but did not succeed. Diallo served better in the third set and Griekspoor recorded too many unnecessary mistakes.
In the fourth set, the Dutchman recovered. Griekspoor broke Diallo immediately and did not relinquish that lead.