Denis Shapovalov is into the second round of the Australian Open after beating Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and 24 minutes on 1573 Arena.
The Toronto native hit 38 winners while serving 16 aces in a match that went back and forth before the number 20 seed was able to find a way to victory.
Lajovic had an early breakpoint in the first game but Shapovalov was able to save it and the first set stayed on serve until 5-4 when the number 20 seed broke the Serbian to love to seal the first set.
The second set stayed on serve until 2-2 when this time it was Lajovic’s turn to break serve and that one break of serve was enough for him to serve it out.
In the third frame, proceedings stayed on serve for the first two games before the Serb got the break again and was able to consolidate it. But at 3-2, the Canadian responded breaking right back to level at 3-3. At 5-4, Shapovalov set up a set point with his trademark backhand and was able to steal the third set to go up two sets to one.
The fourth set stayed on serve until 2-1 when the number 20 seed sensing the finish line earned a break point and broke to take an early 3-1 lead and was able to consolidate it. At 4-1, the Canadian was able to turn that lead into a double break thanks this time to his ferocious forehand, and served out the match and will face the winner of the match between Ernesto Escobedo and Taro Daniel.
Other results
It was a busy day one in Melbourne at the Australian Open and here are some of the early results.
Sebastien Korda the number 29 seed beat the Chilean Cristian Garin in four sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 34 minutes, the number 10 seed Hubert Hurkacz beat the Spaniard Pedro Martinez in straight sets 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 50 minutes.
Finally, Jannik Sinner, the number 15 seed had no issues getting past the Brit Kyle Edmund in straight sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in one hour and 56 minutes.
