@Sportshorn
The storied run of 18-year old Canadian Dennis Shapovalov came to an end on Sunday afternoon at the US Open. Adored by the New York crowd thanks to his fearless style on the court along with his long hair and backwards cap, Shapovalov fell in three tiebreaks 7-6 7-6 7-6 to 12th seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round.
Shapovalov did have his opportunities in the two hour and 56 minute affair including a 5-2 lead in the opening set along with three set point chances but he was unable to convert. He also blew a 3-0 lead in the third set and had two break points to go up 4-0 but wasn’t able to pull those off either. Overall the Canadian played well but his inexperience did come into play at times, going for shots he probably shouldn’t have and making a few poor decisions.
In all three tiebreaks, Shapovalov started off on the wrong foot. In each of the them he served first and lost the opening point. Carreno Busta built up 4-1 leads in each of the tiebreaks thanks to several Shapovalov mistakes. His forehand letting him down on several occasions. Carreno Busta had just one ace in the match but did hit some big serves when he needed to including one on match point.
Shapovalov had 54 winners more than double Carreno Busta’s 25 but his 55 unforced errors were far more than the Spaniard’s 29.
“I think I had a lot of chances. I don’t think I played as well today as I have been these past two weeks, but, I mean, that’s tennis, It’s going to happen,” said the youngster. “I think Pablo played a very great match. He stayed very tough mentally in the big points…he just played three tiebreaks that were better than mine. I was up in the first, up in the third. I definitely had my chances. Very disappointed that I wasn’t able to keep my leads. But, you know, at the end of the day, it’s tennis. I still have a lot of things to learn.”
Shapovalov became the youngest player to reach the Round of 16 at the US Open since Michael Chang in 1989 and he padded his bank account by $235,000US for his main draw run. He will also see his World Ranking jump even higher than his current No 69. After starting the year at No 250 he will now be either 51st or 52nd in the world at the end of the years final Slam.
“The biggest lesson is that I’m able to compete with these guys,” said Shapovalov. “I still think I have a lot of work to do.
I mean, it’s just been two tournaments, but I really feel like I have to put in a lot of work this offseason to try and secure my spot in these rankings and just to be able to compete with these guys week in and week out.”
As for 26-year old Barcelona native, “PCB” still hasn’t dropped a set in the tournament. His quarter-final appearance will be his second of the year at a Grand Slam. He had to retire during his quarter-final match with Rafael Nadal because of an abdominal injury. He awaits the winner of the Diego Schwartzman Lucas Pouille match later on Sunday.
