LEXINGTON, Ky. – In a remarkable reunion, Kentucky men’s tennis legends Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl have teamed up to represent Team Canada. Having previously helped lead Kentucky to its first ever NCAA Tournament Championship match in 2022, the duo will now be joining forces on the court at the Davis Cup Qualifier tie against the Republic of Korea on Feb. 2-3 in Montreal. Diallo and Draxl will be joined by Milos Raonic, Alexis Galarneau, and Vasek Pospisil to form a dynamic five-member squad representing Canada.
Diallo, currently ranked No. 135 in the ATP Rankings, brings experience to the Davis Cup team, having already played in five ties during his young professional career. At just 22 years old, Diallo holds a record of 2-3 in these matches, including a significant victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti last year, who was ranked within the top 20 at the time. During his successful tenure at Kentucky, Diallo boasted an impressive overall singles record of 65-26 and was a three-time ITA All-American. He was named to the All-SEC First Team Selection twice and was also honored with a spot on the All-SEC Tournament Team in 2022. Diallo reached a career-high ITA ranking of No. 2 prior to the 2022 fall season and made it to the quarterfinal round at the NCAA Singles Championship in the same year.
On the other hand, Draxl is preparing for his Davis Cup debut after turning pro last summer. Currently ranked No. 298 in the ATP Rankings, the 22-year-old showcased his potential with a major win at the Calgary National Bank Challenger this past November. At Kentucky, Draxl made history as the program’s first-ever ITA National Player of the Year after an outstanding sophomore season in 2021. Hailing from Newmarket, Ontario, Draxl recorded an impressive 66-22 singles record in dual matches and was a three-time ITA All-American as well as a First-Team All-SEC selection. As the No. 1 overall seed, Draxl reached the semifinals at the 2021 NCAA Singles Championship, displaying his immense talent.
The qualifier tie between Canada and the Republic of Korea will determine which team advances to the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals. Both Diallo and Draxl will be determined to contribute their best performances and help secure victory for Team Canada.
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