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In a clash between two players vying for their first ATP Tour title, Diallo overcame Bergs 7-5, 7-6(8) to triumph at the Dutch ATP 250.

The big-serving 23 year-old dug deep to save three set points in the second-set tie-break before sealing a one-hour, 58-minute final win and banish memories of his final defeat to Karen Khachanov in Almaty last year.

“Oh man, I don’t have the words. It’s something that you dream of for your whole life since you were a little kid, to get an ATP Tour title,” Diallo said. “The fact that I was able to do it here after losing a final last year, it just means the world to me. I’m very happy, not only for myself but for my whole team.”

Diallo is just the fourth Canadian to win an ATP Tour singles title this century, after Milos Raonic (who has won eight titles), Felix Auger-Aliassime (seven titles) and Denis Shapovalov (three titles). As well as congratulating Bergs and thanking his team and the crowd, Diallo used the trophy presentation to recall a funny moment that kick-started his week in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

“I’d like to thank the stringer who misspelled my name and called me ‘Diablo’ instead of Diallo," joked the Canadian, who will rise 11 spots to a career-high No. 44 in the ATP Rankings. "A special shout out to him. I don’t know if he’s here, but I told him at the beginning of the week that if I got the chance to have a mic by the end of the week, I would definitely say that.”

Although Bergs produced several stunning winners as he aimed for his first win against Diallo at the second attempt, he was unable to deny his locked-in opponent. The Canadian won 76 per cent (37/49) of points behind his first delivery, a tally which included nine aces. Despite at one point trailing 4/6 in the second-set tie-break, Diallo converted his second match point before collapsing to the grass with joy.

It was a second defeat in an ATP Tour final for Bergs, who hails from neighbouring Belgium and was well supported throughout his run in the Netherlands. Despite his defeat, the 26 year-old will on Monday rise 14 spots to return to his career-high No. 49 in the PIF ATP Rankings. A good friend of Diallo’s, Bergs warm runner’s up speech confirmed that would not be changing despite his disappointment at defeat.

“Gabriel, man, why today? Why you got to play so good? So big. Congratulations to you," he said. "You’re a great guy, and I really mean that, and everybody should know you’re a great guy. But also your team. I love your team, we spent the last years more together, we practised more together, and we will play doubles soon together at Wimbledon. So I’m really happy for you guys at least.”