Denis Shapovalov is the third Canadian to book a spot in the third round of the Australian Open after beating Bernard Tomic in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
Shapovalov, who came through a five-set marathon against Jannik Sinner in the first round, was solid behind serve as he saved all seven break points he faced. Furthermore, the world No.12 blasted 16 aces and 36 winners to seal a spot in the last 32 of the tournament.
“I’m very happy to get the win today. Obviously Bernard is a really tough opponent. If I let him into the match there in the second set, I would have been there for a while. So I’m really happy to close it out in straights,” said Shapovalov.
A fast start for the Canadian
The Canadian got off to a quick start breaking Tomic in the very first game and you could tell from the start the Aussie was either struggling with an injury or simply wasn’t fully invested in the match.
Shapovalov held serve and had more chances to break the very next game as he earned another break point and broke when the Aussie sent a ball long to give the Canadian a 3-0 lead.
The rest of the set went on serve and the world number 12 served out the first set to take it 6-1 in a mere 23 minutes.
The Canadian continues to dominate
The Nassau, Bahamas resident faced four break points in the opening service game of the second set but managed to save all four facing some tough adversity to hold 1-0.
The very next game was a long one that lasted 12:35 as Tomic saved two break points as he was struggling to hold serve but managed to hold to make it 1-1.
The number 11 seed almost had an identical service game the very next game saving two break points in another long game that lasted 11:16 to take a 2-1 lead.
From there it was quick service games and the Richmond Hill, Ontario native got more breakpoints in the very next game and broke forcing Tomic to send a return long to take a 3-1 lead.
The rest of the set went with serve and the Canadian served out the set to take it 6-3.
The Canadian closes it out
With the world number 12 a set away from the third round he was motivated to finish the match as soon as possible and not give life to his Aussie opponent.
The Canadian earned three break points as it seemed Tomic wasn’t even trying anymore and would get the early break when he served a double fault for the 1-0 lead.
After both players held serve the Aussie had a chance to break off a rare unforced error from the Canadian but it was quickly saved by an ace from Shapovalov.
The number 11 seed had another chance but this time Tomic was able to save with a big serve that the Canadian couldn’t return. Both players held serve again and at 4-2 the world number 12 had two chances to break and serve for the match and he did just that.
He would serve for the match at 5-2 and had no issues serving it out to set up a third round meeting with his good friend and fellow Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime who earlier beat another Aussie in James Duckworth.
