By The Canadian Press on September 13, 2023.
BOLOGNA, Italy – Gabriel Diallo defeated Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 6-4 to complete a 2-0 victory for defending champion Canada in a tie against Italy in the Davis Cup Finals on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Montreal native hit 10 aces and had zero double faults in the one-hour 23-minute match. Diallo also broke on two of his three chances, while holding the world No. 18 Musetti without a breakpoint opportunity. Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., got the show going with a 7-6 (8), 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego in the opening match. Canada is set to face Sweden on Thursday before wrapping up Group A play on Saturday against Chile. The top two teams from the four groups advance to the knockout stage which will take place Nov. 21-26 in Malaga, Spain. Canada won the Davis Cup last year for the first time since 1913. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2023. 8