15th seed Grigor Dimitrov will take on lucky loser Gabriel Diallo in the 4th round of the Madrid Masters. Grigor Dimitrov looks like a man on a mission this fortnight.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Mutua Madrid Open
Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain (Outdoor Clay)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 30th April
Grigor Dimitrov 0.44 vs Gabriel Diallo 1.75
The Bulgarian has enjoyed a wonderful career renaissance this past 18 months or so. He started this year in solid fashion, reaching the semifinals in his Brisbane title defence. Injury curtailed his Aussie Open charge, and he struggled to recover during the Middle East Swing. But he slowly stared to rediscover his best tennis in the Masters 1000 events, following a round of 16 run at Indian Wells with an impressive semifinal showing in Miami. He seemed to have found his clay-court rhythm nicely in Monte-Carlo, surging into the quarterfinals. His Monte-Carlo experience ended in some embarrassment, as the Bulgarian was handed a dreaded double-bagel by ‘Speed Demon’ Alex de Minaur. Dimitrov has bounced back admirably this fortnight, winning both of his Madrid clashes in straight sets. He had his struggles against Brit Jacob Fearnley (the match was interrupted by a day due to the Madrid blackouts). But the 2024 French Open quarterfinalist got the job done and has received quite a favourable draw here.
Lanky Canadian Gabriel Diallo is experiencing a fairytale fortnight thus far. The big-serving Canadian has enjoyed a non-descript campaign, failing to reach a single quarterfinal coming into this event. He also only got into the tournament via the lucky loser spot. But he has defied expectations, beating the trio of Bergs, Majchrzak and Norrie. He showed remarkable composure against Norrie, coming back from a set down to secure his maiden Masters 1000 4th round appearance. He served well against the Brit, firing eight aces and just one double-fault. Diallo will need to step up his level considerably in the final 16 (he is currently 1-6 in meetings against players ranked inside the top 20 in the world).
The Verdict: Dimitrov to win in three at 2.6– This will be their first career meeting. Diallo is essentially free-rolling here and that could allow him to play with a certain degree of freedom. Dimitrov may still have a bit of scar-tissue after that disappointing defeat to de Minaur in Monte-Carlo. For all those reasons, I think that the Canadian could pinch a set off the Bulgarian. I just think that Dimitrov’s greater natural variety will see him through in three. He has lovely variety in that backhand slice and that could prove the difference maker.
