MELBOURNE, Australia – It took five sets, but Canadian Denis Shapovalov’s impressive performance at the Australian Open has come to an end.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal beat the Richmond Hill, Ont. left-hander by winning a marathon in a five-set quarterfinal match (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3) at Rod Laver Stadium on Monday. racked up. night.
With this win, Nadal is on his way to a record 21st major singles title. He also improved his career record to 4–1 against Shapovalov.
Nadal was appearing in his 14th Australian Open quarterfinal, placing him second behind Roger Federer (15) with Australian John Newcomb.
Shapovalov, 22, was in his first Australian Open quarterfinal. He registered a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 win over third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany.
Nadal converted three of the two break opportunities which allowed him to win the opening two sets and take control of the match early.
Nadal took the lead in the first set to break Canada’s serve to lead 3-1. Shapovalov was unable to return the favor as Nadal thrashed the opener 6-3.
A second Nadal break gave the Spaniard a 4-3 advantage, which he pushed to 5-3 after service. Shapovalov managed to stop Nadal and pulled within 5-4, but Nadal pulled out the set 6-4 for a 2-0 advantage.
The two remained on serve until the 10th game in the third set when Shapovalov took his first break 6-4. Then in the fourth set, Shapovalov recorded his second break to lead 3–1 for a 6–3 victory and forced a fifth and deciding set.
The opening third break helped Nadal take a 3-0 lead. Shapovalov served for the remainder of the set but could not break Nadal, who was able to serve the set and match.
Shapovalov finished with 20 aces and five double faults, while Nadal had 10 aces and 11 double faults.
Canada still has one player alive in the men’s singles. Felix Auger-Aliassim of Montreal will also face Russian Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals.
