The huge difference in ranking could suggest a quiet victory for Canadian Gabriel Diallo (39th in the world, 2.03m, 24 years old). But, in the early hours of this Saturday, in Vancouver, for the Davis Cup Qualifiers, the São Paulo native based in Rio de Janeiro Gustavo Heide (253rd in the world, aged 23) He played and served a lot from the start and defeated the favorite by 7/6 (4), 3/6 and 7/6 (3), in 2h42m, in his biggest triumph of the tournament. In the opening of the clash, João Lucas Reis from Pernambuco was beaten by host Liam Draxl, by double 6/3.
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Saturday, at 6pm (Brasília time), Gauchos Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos, who reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last week, face Draxl and Cleeve Harper. Then, João Lucas Reis from Pernambuco challenges Diallo and, in the fifth game, Heide measures forces with Draxl. The country that wins three matches advances to Davis.
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Still on the court, Gustavo Heide was interviewed in English and said:
– Well, I'll answer in Portuguese. It was a very tough game, the whole crowd watching it was a pleasure, even though it was a small part of the stadium they made a lot of difference, it was always very special. I would like to thank the team, Jaime (Oncins, captain), that made this game come true, a very difficult game.
This Saturday's was the second biggest victory of the career of the former 142nd in the world (in 2024, his best ranking). Two years ago, on clay at the ATP 250 in Gstaad, Switzerland, the São Paulo native, who is a Tennis Route athlete, defeated Frenchman Ugo Humbert (15th).
The serve was one of the Brazilian's weapons, who scored 10 aces, compared to 9 from his opponent. Heide's performance in the second service also drew attention: 94%. And the São Paulo native won 79% of the points in which he hit the first serve (50 of 63)
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This is Heide's third participation in the competition. The debut was in 2023, against China, with a 3/0 victory over Rigele Te and withdrawal. The following year, the São Paulo native based in Rio de Janeiro lost to the Swede Elias Ymer.
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It is worth remembering that the team led by Jaime Oncins is missing João Fonseca (34th), who is preparing to defend the ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires, on clay, which starts on Monday (9).
How was the historic victory for Davis
Despite the huge difference in ranking, Heide was not intimidated and played loose from the start. In the fourth game, the Brazilian, in a duel of great servers, saved the first break of the match.
Without breaks, the partial went to a tiebreak. In it, the Brazilian won the first minibreak and opened 3/1, but his rival did not give in and sought a draw. Heide remained firm, scoring 4/3 and 5/4. With your sixth ace in the game, the Brazilian opened 6/4 and reached set point. At the next point, with a backhand cross (left), the São Paulo native closed the partial (video below).
Diallo was undeterred by the setback in the opening set and achieved the first break of the game at the opening of the second. Then it opened 2/0 and 3/1. And, with a backhand error (left) from the Brazilian at the net, the opponent achieved another break and closed the partial.
Heide remained firm on serve in the decisive set and did not suffer a break. As in the first half, the tiebreak came to decide. Diallo started the tiebreaker with a double fault. At the next point, the São Paulo native tried a parallel right, which went wide, for a very close call. With a spectacular pass afterwards, the Brazilian made it 2/1. On the next point, the host missed a right hand, which hit the 'wood', and the rival opened 3/1. Firm in the exchange, Heide saw the Canadian send a right into the net on the next point. Diallo then sent a backhand wide, and the Brazilian made it 5/1. With a winner, the home tennis player won the next point. With a great serve, the 39th in the world reduced the deficit to 5/3. Another right error from the Canadian, and the São Paulo native reached match point. Heide then hit another great first serve and, with a winner, achieved the biggest victory of the tournament.
Source: https://www.lance.com.br/tenis/heide-derruba-gigante-diallo-e-brasil-empata-duelo-com-canada-na-davis.html
