Elmer Moller sets up potential clash against Jannik Sinner as Canadian opponent withdraws

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/moeller-elmer/SU8MMreH/"]Elmer Moller[/a] on Friday continued his winning streak in the Madrid Open and could clash with World No 1, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Jannik Sinner[/a], in the third round.[/p][p]Moller defeated World No 36 [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diallo-gabriel/2TgBLj6G/"]Gabriel Diallo[/a], as the Canadian retired with an injury at the beginning of the second set after the strong Dane had won the first set 7-5.[/p][p]Based on his opponent's ranking, it was Moller's second-biggest result in his career. In 2024, he defeated [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bublik-alexander/t0WN9vR6/"]Alexander Bublik[/a], who was then ranked 27th in the world.[/p][p]Elmer Moller played brilliantly on the red clay surface for periods, while his strong backhand created enormous problems for Diallo.[/p][p]Although the Canadian tried to challenge Moller in his weaker forehand, the Dane often found a way out.[/p][p]The 22-year-old from Aarhus did not get off to a good start and was broken in his first serve. However, he immediately broke back, and for the rest of the first set, the momentum often shifted between the two players.[/p][embed guid="8300f7ca-35da-4ade-bac3-0e8da7cee696" url="https://x.com/edgeAIapp/status/2047653575694717260" social-type="twitter" /][p]Trailing 4-5, Moller was under pressure, but held his serve in confident style and then broke Diallo in a long service game to lead 6-5.[/p][p]Now the Dane was able to serve home the set, and once again he demonstrated that his backhand is properly tuned as he took the first set 7-5.[/p][p]Moller enjoyed the momentum at the beginning of the second set, which he began by breaking Diallo's serve.[/p][p]The Canadian called for a medical timeout and received a massage to his lower back and back for a few minutes. When he got up, he was suddenly flying, playing much more aggressively, and broke back.[/p][p]However, when Elmer Moller restored parity at 3-3, Diallo withdrew from the tournament.[/p][p]In the next round, Moller will face Jannik Sinner if the Italian star manages to beat French qualifier [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bonzi-benjamin/M5OpGHqH/"]Benjamin Bonzi[/a] in his second-round match later on Friday.[/p]