One thing in regards to the far east agrees with Denis Shapovalov’s tennis. For the second week in a row, he’s by means of to the semifinals of an occasion in Asia with out dropping a set.
On Friday, the Canadian booked his spot within the closing 4 of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships with a straight-set win over Cincinnati Masters champion Borna Coric.
Other than a short blip late within the first set, the match was all Shapovalov, who cruised on serve and took benefit of each opening that got here his manner within the 6-4, 6-3 win.
“It was undoubtedly probably the greatest matches of my season,” stated Shapovalov in his post-match interview. “[Coric] is an opponent I’ve struggled in opposition to previously so it’s an amazing win for my confidence”
If the Canadian is to succeed in a second closing in as many weeks through the Asian Swing, he’s going to should take down a second 2022 Masters 1000 winner within the type of Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz within the Tokyo semis.
Shapovalov transformed three of his 4 break factors within the match, whereas solely dealing with one on his personal serve. He put two-thirds of his first serves in play and gained 89 per cent of these factors, solely shedding 4 in whole. The Canadian additionally feasted on his opponent’s second serve, profitable 70 per cent of factors when Coric missed his first supply. He added 29 winners to his opponent’s 11.
It was the Croatian who seemed stronger firstly, holding his first two video games to like. However Shapovalov’s big-hitting rapidly turned the tables as he struck back-to-back winners, together with a clear forehand return winner on break level, to take a 4-2 lead.
The one time Shapovalov let his foot off the fuel within the match got here as he served for the set at 5-3. A double fault adopted by forehand error gave Coric the break again. However the Canadian responded completely, persevering with to hop on the Croatian’s second serve and breaking proper again to say the opening set.
A break early within the second set was all Shapovalov wanted to place a stranglehold on the match. After breaking for a 3-1 lead, he rode his serve to the end line, profitable 12 of his closing 13 factors on serve.
Shapovalov takes a 4-1 head-to-head benefit into his semifinal with the world No. 11 Fritz. Their most up-to-date assembly was final 12 months in San Diego, gained by Shapovalov in straight units.
“He’s been taking part in unbelievable this season. He’s improved loads, we’ve had some actually title battles previously. I’ve gained 4 out of 5 however they might have gone both manner,” stated Shapovalov of the matchup with Fritz. “It’s going to be 0-0 from the start and I simply should focus similar to at this time and hopefully I can proceed to play my sport.”
All 5 of their earlier matches had been on arduous courts, together with a five-set win for the Canadian on the 2020 US Open.
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