MADRID: Prior to this week, Denis Shapovalov had only ever won one clay-court match on the ATP Tour. Now he finds himself in the semifinals of the Madrid Masters with the chance of creating history.
The 19-year-old Canadian progressed to the last four of the tournament with a three sets triumph over Kyle Edmund on Friday. A player who has won two Challenger titles on the clay and recently reached the final of the Grand Prix Hassan II in Morocco. The win follows his victory over compatriot Milos Raonic in what was his first ever tour meeting with him.
Making his debut in the tournament this year, the Caja Magica is a place of fond memories for Shapovalov. In 2015 he was part of the junior Davis Cup team that defeated Germany in the final. Earning the country their first ever win in the competition. Two-and-a-half years on from that event, the memories are still fresh in the mind of the world No.43, who partly credits that milestone for his latest performance in Madrid.
“I think that a huge part of it.” Shapovalov replied when asked if his previous experience of the venue has helped him. “I had unbelievable memories here, winning the first junior Davis Cup for the country. So I was really excited to be back here as a pro player. As the clay season was starting, this was the tournament I really wanted to be back at.”
Previous experience isn’t the only factor in Shapovalov’s triumphs. The high altitude aides his game, which features a fierce serve and heavy ground-strokes. So far in the tournament he has produced a total of 31 aces heading into Saturday’s semi-finals.
“I think it’s a bit of everything. It’s a bit of the altitude, the fast courts, and definitely this experience when I played juniors. I didn’t lose one match in the whole event.” He explained. “It’s Definitely unbelievable feelings being back here.”
Zverev awaits
Shapovalov will take on World No.3 Alexander Zverev next. At stake is the chance to become the youngest finalist of a Masters event since Richard Gasquet at the 2005 Hamburg Open. He is already the youngest ATP quarter-finalist and semi-finalist (since 1990) following his run in Montreal last year.
“I’m not thinking of the title at all. I always take it one match at a time.” Shapovalov insisted. “Everything thus far that I’ve done, it’s all a bonus. Every match I’m playing, just freely, just swinging away.“
A win over Zverev would result in the rising star overtaking Raonic to become the new Canadian No.1. Now he has finally managed to break through on the clay, expectations for Sharapovalov will be higher as he heads into the French Open. A tournament where he fell in the first round of qualifying at a year ago.
“After a week like this, it definitely shows myself that I’m capable, more than capable, to play against these guys and win matches on this surface.” He concluded.
Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, Shapovalov will break into the top 30 for the first time. He trails Zverev 0-1 in their head-to-head, losing in straight sets in Montreal last August.
