A very bizarre but also funny moment occurred on Wednesday at the Toronto Masters as the ball went through the net during the Gabriel Diallo and Matteo Gigante match.
Diallo, a Canadian player who won his maiden ATP title two months ago in 's-Hertogenbosch, returned Gigante's serve and they exchanged a few balls before the Italian had a failed drop shot attempt.
As soon as he lost the point, the Italian started complaining that his rival's ball went through the net. The chair umpire was left stunned, asking whether he thought that happened during the serve or during the point. After explaining his version and requesting a video review, the world No. 125 turned out to be right as Diallo's return didn't go above the net but through the net. The point was awarded to the 23-year-old Italian.
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Throughout last year, players across ATP and WTA called on the tennis authorities to introduce a VAR system in tennis so certain things like a double bounce could be reviewed. The authorities listened and certain tournaments offer the technology.
VAR helped Gigante but he still lost the match
Gigante may have been right in his complaints and he won the point, but it was Diallo who ended on the winning side after sealing a 6-3 7-6 (5) win. It was their first meeting at the main level. In the past, they played in the 2023 Wimbledon qualifying and the 2024 Canberra Challenger - the Canadian also won those meetings.
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Meanwhile, home favorite Diallo plays next against Taylor Fritz. It will be the second meeting between the two in the last month. In early July, Diallo competed pretty well against Fritz and came close to upsetting the American in the Wimbledon second round before the world No. 4 ultimately escaped with a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (0) 4-6 6-3 win.
