Denis Shapovalov Brushed Aside by Ernests Gulbis

Denis Shapovalov was upset in the second round at the Intrum Stockholm Open,by none other than former top ten player, and now ranked 145 in the world-Ernests Gulbis. Ernests Gulbis, for those who have not been following tennis long enough, is known for coming up with the goods against the best players. He was also the reason for Alexander Zverev’s exit at the Wimbledon Championships earlier this year.

Denis Shapovalov, was below par in his performance, as he bowed out in straight sets 6-, 6-4. It was the first meeting of the pair. Gulbis, will now look to use this win as a catapult, to launch himself into the top 100 of the ATP singles rankings. This will guarantee an entry for Gulbis into the first slam of the year in Melbourne in January. “Hopefully, I can get into the top-100 at the end of year and make the main draw for the Australian Open”, said Gulbis. Gulbis has not played at the Australian Open since 2016. Gulbis was also responsible for Roger Federer‘s exit at the Roland Garros back in 2014.

He will now face the hard hitting American Jack Sock in his next round at the Stockholm open. Gulbis has always had a bad-boy and i-do-not-care aura around him. However, he recently told the media that he has never been more driven, than he is now, to win more matches. “It was always I was more nervous at the Grand Slams, but particularly now, just I never wanted to win more than I do right now. I’m 29 and I never wanted to win more,” said Gulbis. “I have a family now, it also changes something in the sense that, when you’re 22, you win, you lose, sometimes you don’t practice 100 per cent, sometimes you don’t play 100 percent. Right now if I don’t play 100 percent I want to be home with my family, it makes no sense at all for me. Right now if I’m on the court or if I’m practicing I give it all, and sometimes it works a little bit against you”, said the Latvian.