In tennis, a game can change on a whim. It may appear to be going one way, with a player in a position to win. Then it moves in another direction towards the other player, changing the entire outcome of the match.
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov appeared to be in control in the final set, chasing his second ATP Tour title and back-to-back wins in Stockholm. Shapovalov was the seasoned player who faced 24-year-old Tommy Paul, who was in his first ATP Tour final.
In the end, Paul conquered Shapovalov in straight sets 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, winning his first ATP Tour title at the Stockholm Open. A disappointing end for Shapovalov to an otherwise stellar week for the Canadian.
“It took my best tennis to beat Denis,” said Paul.
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar week for Shapovalov, who reinforced his love for the tournament and playing in Sweden after the game.
“It’s always an honor to play here,” Shapovalov said in the post-match interview. “I have good feelings coming to Stockholm. I still enjoy the tournament and this country. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the title. Tommy is a hellish player. I’m glad you saw some good tennis. today. “
Shapovalov opened the game dropping a point after slipping on a court. In the first game of the match, Shapovalov had to reject a break point. However, it was Paul who recorded the first break of service in the game. Coupled with Shapovalov’s unforced errors on his groundstrokes, Paul took a 6-4 victory in the first set.
In the second set, Shapovalov recorded the first break on Paul’s serve. But in every service game for the Canadian in the second set, he was pushed to the brink. Most notable came when Shapovalov was up 3-1 and down 0-40. Shapovalov increased the pace and efficiency of his serve, resulting in aces or sunk serves.
When Shapovalov got his first serve, it disrupted Paul’s timing on the return, allowing the Canadian to dictate the point. Shapovalov returned to hold the serve to take a 4-1 lead, en route to the second set 6-2. Five break points saved in the second set, part of his total of 10 for the game, demonstrated Shapovalov’s tenacity in the game’s greatest moments.
In the third set, Shapovalov experienced comfortable serves holds and had to avoid breaking points. Once again, the Canadian leaned on his serve, mixing up the pace and putting Paul on the run. Shapovalov also increased the efficiency of his groundstrokes, displaying tremendous power and angles on his forehand and backhand.
The turning point came for Shapovalov 4-3 in the final set, facing two break point opportunities against Paul. The American served, holding the serve, before breaking Shapovalov out of love to go up 5-4. Paul held the serve one last time to win the Stockholm Open title.
“I didn’t take my opportunities at 15-40, 4-3,” Shapovalov said. “He gave me a lot of mistakes and I had a good opportunity to step in and grab it. I didn’t grab it. It’s tennis, if you don’t take it, the other guy will take it from you. “
Shapovalov’s week in Stockholm crowns a solid 2021 season for the Canadian. Entering this year, Shapovalov emerged from a shortened 2020 pandemic season, reaching a career ranking of No.10.
The 22-year-old wanted more.
However, at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, Shapovalov only made it to the third round, losing to compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets. After leaving the 2020 US Open where Shapovalov played his first Grand Slam quarter-final, the result was disappointing.
The Canadian has never given up. He knew it was part of the development process to become one of the best young players on the ATP Tour. Whenever Shapovalov felt he was underperforming in a tournament in 2021, he followed it with a better result. After the Australian Open, Shapovalov reached the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, before losing in a close semi-final in three sets to South African Lloyd Harris.
Once the season was on clay, a surface where Shapovalov struggled in the past quickly became a place of comfort. Although Shapovalov did not play at Roland Garros due to injury, he reached the knockout stages of the Italian Open, giving 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal a tough test, loser in tight sets 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Shapovalov’s historic result in 2021 was to advance to the Wimbledon semi-final. From the defeat of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to recording victories over seeds Roberto Bautista Agut and Karen Khachanov in five sets, Shapovalov has played his best tennis in moments of greatest pressure. This propelled the Canadian to his first career Grand Slam semi-final, where he offered future Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic his toughest match of the tournament.
Shapovalov, who may be known for his off-pitch rap abilities, shows why he’s some of the best players in the game. The aggressive groundstrokes, flashy shots, the energy he gives off make all fans excited to watch Shapovalov play. His 2021 season seems over; Shapovalov announced after the game that he will not play for Team Canada in the Davis Cup final in Madrid.
In 2019, the last time the Davis Cup was held, Shapovalov and the Canadian squad reached the final before losing to the Spanish squad. As the Aussie swing approaches in two months, Shapovalov is prioritizing recovery after a busy 2021 season so he can be fresh and healthy for 2022.
But the Canadian did not mince words on the disappointment of losing a match in the Stockholm Open final he thought he should have won.
“Sometimes you have to find certain things that motivate you,” Shapovalov said. “I’ll get over that pretty quickly. I’m looking forward to next season. I’m going to take some time, take a little break and focus on the offseason. There are a lot of areas where I can improve and m ‘improve before the New Year. I hope I can get the most out of it. “
It is becoming common for Shapovalov to appear in the depths of tournaments on the biggest tennis stages. Getting consistent results is something Shapovalov spends tons of time perfecting with his coach and former ATP Tour player Mikhail Youzhny.
Shapovalov has room to grow. Although he did not win his second title in Stockholm, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native is set to become a regular in the ATP Tour winner’s circle.
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