Denis Shapovalov beat Nuno Borges 6-2 6-4 at the Belgrade Open to reach to the 40th quarter final of his career at the Belgrade Open.
Shapovalov, who came through the qualifying round, won 91% of his first serve points.
Shapovalov broke twice in the first and fifth games to race out to a 5-1 lead and served out on his second set point. Shapovalov converted his second break point in the third game to take a 2-1 lead and served out the win on his first match point in the 10th game.
“It was a fast paced-match today. I started really well out the gates. I kept the momentum going. I have been playing all week, so I am very happy with another win. It’s one best wins of the season for me, so I will enjoy a little bit and then I will start thinking about the quarter finals”, said Shapovalov.
Shapovalov will face Christopher O’Connell, who beat Daniel Altmeier 6-3 6-1.
Francisco Cerundolo beat Roman Safiulin 6-4 6-4 in 1 hour and 31 minutes with one break in each set to reach his 22ndtour level quarter final. The Argentine player avenged his defeat against his Russian opponent, who won their previous head-to-head match at Wimbledon last July.
Cerundolo fired six aces and saved two of the break points he faced. The Argentine player will face Serbian wild card Hamad Medjedovic.
“I knew it was going to be a super tough match, but I think I played pretty well. I am super happy because he is a tough player. If you don’t serve well, his return will come fast and then it’s difficult”, said Cerundolo.
Laslo Djere saved two set points in the second set in his 6-1 7-6 (10-8) over lucky loser Duje Ajdukovic. Djere broke twice in the fourth and sixth games to win the second set 6-1. Djere broke serve in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead. Ajdukovic broke straight back to draw level to 6-6. Ajdukovic went up a mini-break twice but Djere pulled back on serve both times to draw level to 5-5. Ajdukovic earned two set points at 7-6 and 8-7 but Djere saved them before winning three points in a row to win the tie-break 10-8.
“In the first set I played my best tennis of the year. In the second set it was a battle. I really wanted to win and I am happy that I pushed through it”, said Djere.
Djre will take on Fabian Maroszan, who edged past Dusan Lajovic 6-3 7-5 to advance to his fifth tour-level quarter final.
