Canadian Denis Shapovalov reached his first quarter-final at Wimbledon on Monday as he produced an impressive performance to defeat eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 to continue his strong grass-court form.
The 10th seed, who reached the semi-finals at the cinch Championships (l. to Norrie) in London last month, hit 52 winners and won 78 per cent (45/58) of his first-service points. After advancing in two hours and nine minutes, Shapovalov will next face 25th seed Karen Khachanov after he overcame #NextGenATP star Sebastian Korda in five sets.
“I played some really high-level tennis today,” Shapovalov said. “I got a little bit nervous in the third set, but that is totally normal, and I dealt with that really well. I played flawlessly and I am super happy with myself.”
“To beat a player like [Roberto] Bautista Agut in straight sets backs up my level from my match against Andy [Murray]. I am happy, I feel like I am improving every single match. I knew it was going to be a process on this surface, to really develop my game on it. I have always loved playing on it [grass], it is just about getting comfortable.”
If countryman Felix Auger-Aliassime overcomes Alexander Zverev on Monday, it will be the first time multiple Canadian men have reached the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam.
Shapovalov got off to a fast start on court three. He hit 13 winners as he broke twice to move 4-0 ahead, clinching the set after 34 minutes. While Bautista Agut stayed in touch with the 22-year-old at the start of the second set, Shapovalov broke in the eighth game to lead 5-3. He dictated play, stepping up the court to move the Spaniard around as he served out to move further ahead.
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After multiple breaks were exchanged at the start of the third set, Shapovalov moved to the edge of victory, breaking in the 11th game as he fired a brilliant backhand winner past Bautista Agut. He clinched the contest on serve in the next game to advance.
Bautista Agut reached the semi-finals in 2019 at Wimbledon (l. to Djokovic). The World No. 10 has enjoyed runs to the final at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier (l. to Goffin) and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha (l. to Basilashvili) this year.
The 10th seed, who reached the semi-finals at the cinch Championships (l. to Norrie) in London last month, hit 52 winners and won 78 per cent (45/58) of his first-service points. After advancing in two hours and nine minutes, Shapovalov will next face 25th seed Karen Khachanov after he overcame #NextGenATP star Sebastian Korda in five sets.
“I played some really high-level tennis today,” Shapovalov said. “I got a little bit nervous in the third set, but that is totally normal, and I dealt with that really well. I played flawlessly and I am super happy with myself.”
“To beat a player like [Roberto] Bautista Agut in straight sets backs up my level from my match against Andy [Murray]. I am happy, I feel like I am improving every single match. I knew it was going to be a process on this surface, to really develop my game on it. I have always loved playing on it [grass], it is just about getting comfortable.”
If countryman Felix Auger-Aliassime overcomes Alexander Zverev on Monday, it will be the first time multiple Canadian men have reached the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam.
Shapovalov got off to a fast start on court three. He hit 13 winners as he broke twice to move 4-0 ahead, clinching the set after 34 minutes. While Bautista Agut stayed in touch with the 22-year-old at the start of the second set, Shapovalov broke in the eighth game to lead 5-3. He dictated play, stepping up the court to move the Spaniard around as he served out to move further ahead.
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
After multiple breaks were exchanged at the start of the third set, Shapovalov moved to the edge of victory, breaking in the 11th game as he fired a brilliant backhand winner past Bautista Agut. He clinched the contest on serve in the next game to advance.
Bautista Agut reached the semi-finals in 2019 at Wimbledon (l. to Djokovic). The World No. 10 has enjoyed runs to the final at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier (l. to Goffin) and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha (l. to Basilashvili) this year.