The world number 18 beat his Canadian compatriot in straight sets to reach the final once again in Stockholm.
Denis Shapovalov is still on track to defend his title at the Stockholm Open after beating his good friend and fellow Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 58 minutes serving seven aces and winning 72% of his first-serve points.
After both players held serve in their opening service games it was the Toronto native earning the first chance to break and broke serve to take an early 2-1 lead.
That one break of serve was enough for him to serve out the first set as first blood went to the world number 18.
The second set started off pretty much the same as the first with the Montreal native this time breaking early to take a 3-1 lead but Shapovalov broke right back the following game to go back on serve.
It stayed on serve until 5-5 when the world number 18 broke the Montreal native to love using his powerful one-handed backhand on breakpoint to get the crucial break of serve and serve out the match.
After the match Shapovalov explained how much the win meant to him, “I am very happy to have played exceptional tennis today,” the Canadian told atptour.com.
“Felix is an incredible player, so I knew I had to come out and play big. We know each other well. It definitely means a lot to reach the final.”
Shapovalov will now face the American Tommy Paul who has been having an amazing week and pulled off a huge upset beating the fellow American Frances Tiafoe in three tight sets 5-7. 7-6, 6-4 in two hours and 31 minutes.
Paul served 10 aces in the match and won 71% of his first-serve points to book a spot in his first ATP tour final and a first-ever meeting against the Canadian.
