Denis Shapovalov

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Shapovalov needs two tie-breaks, four sets to advance

Spoiler:

Two weeks after helping Canada win the 2022 ATP Cup, Denis Shapovalov survived an adventure-filled first-round matchup against Croatia’s Laslo Djere on Monday in Melbourne.

After being two points away from a fifth set, the Canadian advanced in four, 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3). Djere had an opportunity to serve for both the first and fourth sets, but each time the No. 14 seed denied him in John Cain Arena.

The match looked secure with Shapovalov up 5-2 in the fourth, but Djere sparked to life, winning eight of nine points to get back on serve. The Canadian created a match point on the return at 4-5, but soon found himself down 6-5, needing a break just to stay in the set.

“I felt like the fourth set was slipping away from me after that set point,” Shapovalov said in his on-court interview, “but I’m very happy with the outcome.”

The opening set was its own rollercoaster. The No. 14 seed dropped serve in the match’s opening game and needed to save two set points to force the tie-break. It was one-way traffic from there, until Djere reasserted himself by winning the first three games of set three.

“He did a great dob to come back from two sets to none,” Shapovalov added. “He changed his tactics, tried to go for it more and was very tricky.”

In the end, using what he called the “Rafa mentality” of fighting for each point, the 22-year-old found just enough big forehands and big serves to avoid a fifth set. The victory marks his first Slam win under new coach Jamie Delgado.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/carlos- ... 22-day-one

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[Damian]

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Shapovalov Shows Fighting Spirit, Reaches R3

Spoiler:

Canadian next faces Opelka
Denis Shapovalov took the long road into his third Australian Open third round in a five-set comeback win over South Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon. The No. 14 seed had chances to win each of the first three sets but took only one of them before battling to a 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-2 win on Margaret Court Arena.

With the fourth set knotted a 5-all, Shapovalov strung together consecutive breaks to force a fifth and then edge ahead 3-0 In the decider. He saw that advantage home against the World No. 54, advancing after four hours, 25 minutes.

“I’ll probably sleep in the ice bath tonight,” he joked in his on-court interview. ”It was a great match. I’m really happy to get the win today. I just fought through it.”

The match started comfortably for Shapovalov, who opened up a double break lead and served for the opening set at 5-4. Pushed to a tie-break, he sealed the set with an ace after Kwon contributed three crucial errors in the tie-break.

But Kwon’s aggressive tactics at the big moments paid off late in the next two sets. The South Korean showed no fear as he saved a set point on serve at 5-4 in the second, then hit four winners as he powered through the tie-break.

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Shapovalov let two leads slip in set three. After surrendering a break advantage midway through, he found himself in danger at 5-6, 30-all. Six big serves later, he was up a mini-break at 5-2 in the tie-break. But Kwon showed punch on his own delivery and took full advantage of a trio of Shapovalov miscues to steal the set.

It was red alert for the Canadian at break point down early in the fourth, but a flicked backhand overhead got him out of danger as he held for 3-2. As the match wore on, the Canadian took control, ultimately winning eight of the match’s last 10 games to escape with the win.

He finished with 29 aces to go along with his seven breaks of serve.

There will likely be more tie-breaks in Shapovalov’s future, as he will take on 23rd seed Reilly Opelka in the third round. The 23rd-seeded American beat Dominik Koepfer, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4), earlier on Wednesday.

“I’ll just try to make as many returns as possible and try to hold my serve,” he previewed. “He’s a great guy and it’ll be a great match.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/shapova ... -wednesday

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[Damian]

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Shapo Blunts Opelka Serve, Reaches R4

Spoiler:

Canadian could face Zverev in fourth round
Denis Shapovalov soared into the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time Friday, blunting big-serving American Reilly Opelka 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to set up a potential clash against third seed Alexander Zverev.

The 14th seed played free-flowing, aggressive baseline tennis against 6’ 11” Opelka, showcasing impressive footwork to dictate on his heavy forehand as he backed up his fifth-set second-round victory over Soonwoo Kwon in style.

“It was a tough one out there against Reilly,” Shapovalov said in his on-court interview. “You really have to take your chances and I am happy with the way it went. Thank you guys for all of the support.”

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The Canadian competed with high intensity throughout his three-hour, five-minute win, dealing with Opelka’s thunderous serve to good effect. He stood close to the baseline to counter the angle and height of the American’s serve, slicing his returns in the crucial moments as he broke three times to advance.

“I knew he was going to hit one or two aces but I tried to get my racquet on as many as possible,” Shapovalov added. “Early on I found a rhythm on his serve, I was able to chip quite a lot back which I was happy about. I think I did a good job taking the chances. It is tough to get the rhythm against a guy like that, so I am super happy.”

Shapovalov, who is making his fifth appearance in Melbourne, will face Alexander Zverev in the last 16 if the German can overcome Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot on John Cain Arena. Zverev leads Shapovalov 4-2 in their ATPHead2Head series, with all but one of their matches coming on hard.

The 22-year-old helped guide Canada to the ATP Cup title earlier this month and is now 6-1 on the season, with his partnership with new coach Jamie Delgado getting off to a strong start. The Wimbledon semi-finalist stuck 39 winners and committed 32 unforced errors in his victory against Opelka.

Opelka did not drop a set en route to the third round in Melbourne, but was unable to find his way past Shapovalov despite hitting 18 aces as he aimed to advance to the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time.

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