Diallo's NCAA Tournament run ends in Elite Eight
Thursday’s NCAA Tournament quarterfinals marked the end of the road for Gabriel Diallo, the last-standing Kentucky Wildcat in the men’s singles tournament. One of two Kentucky players in the field, Diallo played his way to the Elite Eight by defeating Baylor’s Adrian Boitan in the opening round; then Virginia’s Chris Rodesch, whose team beat Kentucky in the national championship match last Sunday, in the second; and then Matej Vocel from Ohio State, the former No. 1 team upset by Kentucky in the team Final Four, in the Sweet 16.
But in the Elite Elite, Diallo couldn’t get past Adam Walton from the University of Tennessee (of all places). Walton came back from one set down to beat Diallo in three: 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). The No. 3 overall seed in the field, Walton was hungry for redemption after losing to Kentucky in last year’s Elite Eight.
As for Diallo, his Elite Eight loss concludes a prolific junior season in Lexington. The First Team All-SEC selection had a 38-8 record overall and climbed as high as No. 4 in the rankings during his breakout year.
Run it back next year?
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