Denis Shapovalov is into the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International 1 after beating Russia’s Roman Safiullin 6-4. 6-3 in one hour and 21 minutes.
The Canadian won 84% of his first serve points and served seven aces in a match that he controlled from start to finish and looked unflappable in the process.
“I know how tough Roman is and we had a tough battle last year so I came into this match ready to go and ready to fire on all cylinders. I had a good start this time and was able to carry through that,” said Shapovalov.
The number seven seed got off to a quick start earning three breakpoints in the first game, setting one of those up with a sensational cross-court backhand but the Russian was able to save all three and hold serve.
At 1-1, the Toronto native had two more chances to take the early lead and he so by breaking and consolidating the break. At 3-1 he broke Safiullin once more with a sublime lob to make it 4-1.
The Russian responded the very next game by getting one of the breaks back but it wasn’t enough as the Canadian served out the first set in only 41 minutes.
The second set stayed on serve until 3-3 when Shapovalov was able to find the breakthrough. That one break of serve was enough for him to serve out the match and seal the win.
After the match in his on-court interview, he was asked about the advantage of being left handy and the difficulty of playing a lefty.
” Tennis is one of the most favorable sports for a lefty and there are a lot of great lefties and it is always tricky against them but I think it helps out quite a bit,” he said.
Shapovalov will now have another crack at Novak Djokovic after the Serb beat another Frenchman Quentin Halys in straight sets 7-6, 7-5 in one hour and 56 minutes.