Denis Shapovalov is through to the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open after a convincing 6-1, 6-3, win over Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in the first round of Sunday.
After suffering a shock second round loss in Estoril last week where he was the top seed, the world No.14 looks to be back on track in the Spanish capital. Impressively Shapovalov dropped just two points behind his first serve throughout the match as he broke Lajovic four times in total.
“I felt a lot better today, felt very good on the court and happy to get the first win,” he said following the win.
After holding the opening service game of the match the Canadian went on the offensive right away playing some quick strike tennis and earning a breakpoint with a stunning backhand winner down the line. He broke to take an early 2-0 lead but Lajovic responded in the very next game earning two breakpoints but the Toronto native was able to save them and hold serve.
At 4-1 Shapovalov earned another chance to go up a double break and he would do just that. Winning the breakpoint with a perfectly placed drop shot before serving out the first set in just 27 minutes.
The number 11 seed carried the momentum into the second set and would earn a breakpoint in the first game but this time the Serbian was able to save it and hold serve.
At 3-3 the Canadian sensed the finish line was in sight and earned three breakpoints. He broke to take a crucial 4-3 lead and after holding serve the Serb was serving to stay in the match.
Shapovalov would set up three match points with another sublime forehand winner down the line and would take the match the very next point finishing the match in just 62 minutes flat.
After the match in his post match press conference he explained how crucial this week in Madrid is to him in preparation for the French Open that begins on May 30th in Paris.
“It’s super important, I feel these next couple weeks are big tournaments, tournaments that I like to play at and that I have had good success on but for sure a great few weeks leading up to the French Open,” he said.
Shapovalov will next face Alexander Bublik who earlier beat Marton Fucsovics in straight sets 7-6, 6-3.
