World No.15 Denis Shapovalov helps Canada to win a crucial tie against Stefanos Tsitsipas led Greece in their first round-robin match of the ATP Cup 2020. The 20-year-old defeated the World No.6 in straight sets 7-6(6), 7-6(4) in the second singles rubber of their Group F tie in Brisbane on Friday. Was Shapovalov too good on his serve or dis Tsitsipas missed his opportunities? Let’s find out.
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Denis Shapovalov saved a set point in set one
The tight opening set was decided by a tiebreaker as the games went with the serves till 6-6. However, Denis Shapovalov lost concentration while serving to stay in the set at 4-5. The Canadian hit a couple of double faults and an unforced error to gift the first breakpoint opportunity of the set to Tsitsipas.
However, the Greek could not take advantage of the opportunity on the second serve. Tsitsipas hit a routine backhand shot which got struck on the net cord as Shapovalov saved the set point. Two big serves from Denis helped him hold a nerve-wracking service game to stay in the set.
The set was then forced to go through tiebreaker as both the players held their service games quite comfortably. It was the left-hander who was dominating the tiebreaker, earning two set points on his serve at 6-4.
Tsitsipas held his nerves to save the two set points before hitting an unforced error to gift another set point to his opponent. Shapovalov then closed the opening set 7-6 (8-6) with an ace. 39 per cent of Shapovalov’s first serve went unreturned, which made the difference between the two.
What a set! ☄️
On his third set point, @denis_shapo takes it 7-6(6) over reigning Nitto ATP Finals champ and World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, moving Team Canada just one set away from clinching the win.@ATPCup | #GoCanada pic.twitter.com/7JuiMMjC6l
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) January 3, 2020
Nice battle brewing between Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas at #ATPCup
Shapo takes the opener in a tiebreaker, 7-6(6), both had set points.
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) January 3, 2020
Denis Shapovalov has the first set over Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 in this heavy weight matchup from the @ATPCup.
Very strong start for 🇨🇦 so far
— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisSN590) January 3, 2020
Shapovalov saved two breakpoints in set two
Shapovalov took the momentum in the second set as he earned his first breakpoint opportunity in the second game. However, the 21-year-old saved the breakpoint to hold a critical service game.
However, the heavyweight game between Shapovalov and Tsitsipas was suspended at 3-2 as the line judge had hurt her wrist. Tsitsipas also went onto console the linesperson during the break. Denis Shapovalov struggled on his serve after the break as the Greek earned a breakpoint. The Canadian once again stepped up to save the breakpoint and held his serve.
Stef steps it up! 👏@StefTsitsipas cracks a wicked forehand winner past Denis Shapovalov in Brisbane. #ATPCup. pic.twitter.com/3bEr6kaVDD
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 3, 2020
Shapovalov (🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/aC2xLhUdR6
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) January 3, 2020
Shapovalov saved yet another breakpoint while serving at 5-5. The two players then forced the set to the tiebreaker. It was the Canadian who prevailed in the tiebreaker 7-6 (7-4) after a double fault from Tsitsipas to win a tight match in 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Earlier, Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Michail Pervolarakis of Greece 6-1, 6-3 in the first singles match of Canada vs Greece draw.
On the other hand, Belgium is leading Moldova 1-0 as Steve Dracis of Belgium defeated Alexander Cozbinov 6-4, 6-7, 7-5.
