18-year-old Denis Shapovalov has derailed Rafael Nadal’s No.1 goal after stunning the top seed 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4), at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
It was a night to remember for Montreal’s tennis history, a night to treasure for Canadian Tennis. The blockbuster match of Thursday’s night session at the Rogers Cup in Montreal was squaring of the world n.2 Nadal, just two wins away from regaining the top spot of the ranking, and 18-year-old home-grown player Shapovalov. It ended the way nobody thought it could end, with Shapovalov laying on the ground of Uniprix Stadium, after having just beaten one of his childhood heros, advanced to his home tournament quarterfinals and, most likely, just broken into the Top 100. “This is what I dreamed of growing up, playing these guys” said Shapovalov during the press conference “this is a dream come true”.
The youngster started playing very boldly, swinging at full power, knowing he would need to play near his limits to keep up with his higher-ranked opponent. Shapovalov faced his first break points in the fifth game, but he managed to stave off Nadal’s attacks with some brave winners. Spectators cheered in admiration at a couple of backhands down the line from the young Canadian, but a small dip in attention was enough to cost him the first set: at 3-4 he missed two forehands by an inch or so, stumbled onto a double fault and that was enough to write Rafa’s name on the first set.
The crowd got into the game, chanting “Denis, Denis” and Shapovalov responded like a true warrior: he broke first in the second set, rushed 2-0, then held comfortably for 4-1. Two chances for 5-1 were carefully neutralized by Rafa, who then went on to take advantage of the first real momentary lapse by Denis: one easy smash sent near the fences and two unforced errors from the baseline cost him the break-back, and when at 4-4 Nadal went 0-30 on the opponent’s serve, nobody in the house thought they’d be there for much longer. But Shapovalov refused to play that script and he not only got into the lead at 5-4, but he clinched the second set after a lucky backhand return.
Eighty-nine minutes of play already gone and the third set started with Shapovalov hitting hard standing with his feet on the baseline and Nadal scrambling from behind the “Montreal 375” sign. The third game was a watershed: 26 points, 15 minutes, three break points for Nadal, all squandered. Shapovalov held, and did not want to give in. At 4-4 Nadal saw a small glimmer of hope at 15-30, but he missed three consecutive returns. At that point, it was almost 11.00 pm but no one had left their seats, including hockey legend Wayne Gretsky, on his feet to encourage Shapovalov.
A tie-break in the decisive set was the worthy conclusion of this epic battle. A forehand volley was missed by Shapovalov on the first point, allowing Nadal to swiftly take a 3-0 advantage. But the Spaniard served his second double fault of the match and was tied at 3-3. Then madness took over: at 4-3 Nadal we have an ace, and forehand winner, an unforced by Nadal and another netted forehand unleashed pandemonium at the Uniprix stadium.
“It’s a lot to take in, obviously. But, you know, honestly, to be honest, I’m very thankful that I’m in this position. If I didn’t save those four match points in the first round, there wouldn’t even be a chance to play Juan Martinez [sic] or Rafa. I’m very thankful for that.” Said Shapovalov.
Nadal will not return to n.1 at the end of this week, but he can make it next week in Cincinnati. Shapovalov, on the other hand, has become the youngest player to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal, the second youngest player to defeat Nadal in history (after Borna Coric) and he faces Adrian Mannarino for a berth in the Semifinals.
