Canadian prospect Gabriel Diallo captured his first ATP Tour title with a composed 7‑5, 7‑6(10‑8) victory over Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the Libéma Open final in Den Bosch on June 15, 2025. The 23‑year‑old delivered a confident performance, notably saving two critical break points late in the first set and surging from 6‑4 down in the tiebreak to close out the victory.
In only his second ATP final—having lost to Karen Khachanov last October in Almaty—Diallo refused to yield a momentum shift. As Bergs threatened to seize control in the breaker, Diallo won three consecutive points to seal the win.
This triumph marks a historic milestone: Diallo becomes just the fourth Canadian male of the century to win a tour-level title—and the first Canadian man to win an ATP singles crown on grass
The win will propel Diallo from world No. 55 into the top 50 for the first time. His impressive run included wins over seeded players: Australia’s Jordan Thompson (6), Russia’s Karen Khachanov (3), and France’s Ugo Humbert (2)
At the ceremony, the Montreal-born star expressed heartfelt thanks:
“Thank you to my team… you guys have no idea how much you mean to me. Since the moment we started working together, we were never scared of dreaming big… today, hopefully, it’s the first of many.’”
Mertens Overpowers Ruse to Lift First Grass Title
In the women’s final, Elise Mertens, the Belgian No. 3 seed, overcame Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6‑3, 7‑6(4) to secure her 10th WTA singles title—and crucially, her first on grass.
Mertens displayed grit and resilience all week, notably surviving a dramatic semifinal where she saved 11 match points against Ekaterina Alexandrova. In the final, after falling behind 3‑1 in the opening set, she steadied herself to turn the match around.
She broke Ruse’s serve to even at 3‑3 and then surged ahead to wrap up the set. The second set saw tension rise, with Ruse even gaining two set points at 5‑4. Mertens held firm and dominated the tiebreak to lift the trophy.
Reflecting afterwards, she acknowledged the week’s emotional highs and low points:
“It’s been an incredible week… yesterday I had 11 match points against me. It’s tennis, anything can happen. I’m very proud that I took that chance yesterday and today.”
This triumph marks her second WTA Tour title in 2025, following her February win in Singapore. Her flawless head-to-head record over Ruse—now 4‑0—was another highlight of her week.
What These Wins Mean for Both Players
Gabriel Diallo
- Claimed a career milestone by capturing his first ATP title on grass.
- Promoted into the top 50 rankings, now firmly inside for the first time.
- Boosted confidence ahead of Wimbledon, with grass-court prowess on display.
- Member of a growing cohort of Canadian men’s tennis success.
Elise Mertens
- Reaffirmed her reputation as a proven all-court competitor.
- Achieved a career-first grass title while maintaining a steady season form.
- Demonstrated remarkable fortitude, saving 11 match points in the semis.
- Gained momentum as a contender entering the grass-court major swing.
Tournament Overview and Significance
The Libéma Open—played at the Autotron Rosmalen in the Netherlands—is a key ATP 250 and WTA 250 grass-court tournament, traditionally seen as a vital warm-up for Wimbledon. The event continues to serve as a proving ground for players seeking to transition their clay form into grass-court success.
Final Analysis
Gabriel Diallo’s composed grass-court breakthrough and Elise Mertens’ plucky show of resilience underscore a tournament defined by breakthroughs and comebacks. For Diallo, this is just the start—his entry into the top 50 and striking grass success suggest a rising career trajectory.
Mertens’ triumph emphasizes consistency and competitive spirit; her ability to close out tight matches and secure her maiden grass title enhances her profile ahead of Wimbledon.
