Denis Shapovalov

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Wimby21: pierwszy raz w 4. rundzie Wimbledonu.

[15] Denis Shapovalov d. [WC] Andy Murray 6‑4 6‑2 6‑2

[Damian]

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[Damian]

Wimby21: Pierwszy ćwierćfinał na Wimbledonie!

[15] Denis Shapovalov d. [8] Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1 6-3 7-5

[Damian]

Shapovalov Soars Into First Wimbledon QF

Spoiler:

The 10th seed next faces Russian Khachanov

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.

You May Also Like: Khachanov Continues Russian Charge; Reaches Wimbledon QF In Five-Set Thriller
“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.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/shapova ... 021-monday

[Damian]

Historic day for Canadian men

Spoiler:

Longtime friends Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime achieve Wimbledon first for their country READ MORE
BY LEE GOODALL
SOCIAL
The last ever Manic Monday at Wimbledon didn’t disappoint, delivering some ten hours of rollercoaster fourth round action across the All England Club with shocks and significant milestones galore.

Canadian tennis fans will be clearing their diaries on Wednesday with two of their men into the quarter-finals for the first time in the tournament's history.

First, Denis Shapovalov raced through with a dominant 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 victory over No.8 seed Roberto Bautista Agut before his close friend Felix Auger-Aliassime followed him into the Last Eight Club with a five-set win over No.4 seed Alexander Zverev under the No.1 Court roof.


DENIS SHAPOVALOV
Shapovalov has won trophies at Wimbledon in the past as the boys’ champion in 2016 and Monday’s success over the Spaniard earns him his second quarter-final at this level and his first at the London major.

“I played some really high-level tennis today,” said Shapovalov who will face Russian Karen Khachanov for a semi-final spot. “Obviously I got a little bit nervous in the third set. I think it's completely normal. I dealt with that really, really well. Other than that, I played really, really flawless. Roberto is a very, very tough player to play against.”


FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME VS ALEXANDER ZVEREV: FOURTH ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
It was a good day for former junior champions. Earlier the 2010 boys’ winner Marton Fucsovics finally walked off court with a victory over his bogeyman, the young Russian Andrey Rublev, as well as a first Grand Slam quarter-final on his CV.

Fucsovics secured his first win in four attempts this year over the No.5 seed 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, a result that makes him only the third Hungarian man in history to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the first since 1948.

73
YEARS SINCE THE LAST HUNGARIAN QUARTER-FINALIST
“I was not thinking about the previous matches [with Rublev],” said the world No.48, who lost to the Russian in Rotterdam, Dubai and Miami.

“This one was a different match. We played on grass. I really like the surface. I think my game fits the surface very well.

“I think I will become famous now in Hungary. It's a big thing, huge thing. But for the moment I'm not thinking about what will happen in Hungary, if I will be in the news or if people will talk about me.”


MARTON FUCSOVICS
Italian No.1 Matteo Berrettini maintained his incredible recent run of form by beating Belarusian Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 6-3, 6-1, and is another who will line up in his first Wimbledon quarter-final on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Roman, who has now reached the last eight at three of the four majors, dropped just six points behind his first serve and next plays Auger-Aliassime.

Berrettini has won 22 of his last 25 matches across two surfaces, a run that features a trophy in Belgrade, a first Masters 1000 final in Madrid, a quarter-final at Roland-Garros and first ATP 500 title at Queen’s.

“I feel I am playing for sure the best tennis of my career,” the Italian said. “[In] 2019 I was playing good, but everything was kind of new. I had to adjust a little bit. Now I have more confidence, more experience as well. Obviously the tournament is not done yet. I'm really looking forward to achieving even more.”

I FEEL I AM PLAYING FOR SURE THE BEST TENNIS OF MY CAREER. OBVIOUSLY THE TOURNAMENT IS NOT DONE YET. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO ACHIEVING EVEN MORE
MATTEO BERRETTINI
Switzerland’s world No.66 Viktorija Golubic was another processing a first Grand Slam quarter-final after a shock 7-6, 6-3 win over No.23 seed Madison Keys. Golubic is having a stand-out year after reaching two WTA finals and reaching the quarter-finals in Eastbourne as a qualifier.

“It’s very, very exciting to be through,” said the 28-year-old. “It's so special now to be in the quarter-finals."

The Swiss believes an early adjustment to her backhand as a junior when she switched from two to one hand on the racket has ultimately made her a better player on grass.

“When I was around 11 or 12 my coach at that time, he decided that I should switch to one-handed, forehand and backhand, because I was double handed both [sides]. I know that half a year, like when we tried, I basically didn't hit one ball over the net!

“It gives me some variety on the court. The slice and the drop shot are a little bit better with it. And for grass it's perfect, I think.”


VIKTORIJA GOLUBIC
Two Czechs also moved through to the last eight. No.19 seed Karolina Muchova made it back-to-back Wimbledon quarter-finals when she beat Spanish No.30 seed Paula Badosa 7-6, 6-4.

And former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova is another cruising through the draw nicely. The 2016 US Open finalist outplayed Russian wild card Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 14 minutes.

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https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/ar ... eight.html

[Barty]

Wimbledon: kanadyjscy tenisiści w euforii. "Cały kraj jest za nami"

Spoiler:

Kanada pierwszy raz w historii ma dwóch singlistów w ćwierćfinale turnieju wielkoszlemowego. - To praca zespołowa. Cały kraj jest za nami. To wspaniały dzień dla nas, Kanadyjczyków - podkreślił Felix Auger-Aliassime, współautor tego sukcesu.
Marcin Motyka
Marcin Motyka
06 Lipca 2021, 07:17

Felix Auger-Aliassime
PAP/EPA / FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA / Na zdjęciu: Felix Auger-Aliassime


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Wimbledon: 50. wielkoszlemowy ćwierćfinał Novaka Djokovicia. Węgrzy czekali 40 lat
Ostatni w historii Wimbledonu "Manic Monday" okazał się wyjątkowym dniem dla kanadyjskiego tenisa. Za sprawą zwycięstw Denisa Shapovalova i Felixa Augera-Aliassime'a pierwszy raz w dziejach do ćwierćfinału turnieju wielkoszlemowego dotarło dwóch singlistów z tego kraju.
Jako pierwszy w 1/4 finału zameldował się Shapovalov, który pokonał 6:1, 6:3, 7:5 Roberto Bautistę. - Zagrałem na bardzo wysokim poziomie. Poza trzecim setem, podczas którego czułem się zdenerwowany, byłem prawie bezbłędny. Poradziłem sobie bardzo dobrze, zwłaszcza że Roberto jest wymagającym rywalem - skomentował, cytowany przez atptour.com.



Kilka godzin później do rodaka w ćwierćfinale dołączył Auger-Aliassime. 20-latek z Montrealu po niesamowitej batalii wygrał 6:4, 7:6(6), 3:6, 3:6, 6:4 z Alexandrem Zverevem, a po meczu był w euforii.

ZOBACZ WIDEO: Jak zadbać o swoje bezpieczeństwo na rowerze? Maja Włoszczowska ma kilka rad
ZAMKNIJ
- Moja radość była bardzo szczera, bo to milowy krok w mojej krótkiej karierze - mówił podczas konferencji prasowej. - Chcę dobrze grać w turniejach wielkoszlemowych, szczególnie w moim ulubionym Wimbledonie. Ten mecz miał wszystko. W dwóch pierwszych setach odrabiałem straty przełamania, potem przegrałem dwa kolejne, by wygrać piątego. Dzięki temu to zwycięstwo ma jeszcze słodszy smak.

Auger-Aliassime podkreślił, że nie byłoby tych sukcesów, gdyby nie wsparcie i pomoc, jakie on i Shapovalov otrzymują od ludzi w Kanadzie od początku karier.


- Dostaję wiele wiadomości od osób które pomogły mi się tu dostać. To, że mogę im to w ten sposób oddać, wiele dla mnie znaczy. Czuję, że zwracam część wsparcia, jakie otrzymałem. To praca zespołowa. Cały kraj jest za nami. Całe moje miasto jest za mną. To wspaniały dzień dla nas, Kanadyjczyków - powiedział.

W środę młodzi Kanadyjczycy mogą w jeszcze piękniejszy sposób zapisać się w historii tenisa w swoim kraju. Zagrają w ćwierćfinałach. Shapovalov zmierzy się z Karenem Chaczanowem. - Jak dotychczas wszystko dobrze funkcjonuje w mojej grze. Oczywiście, nie ma gwarancji, że będzie tak dalej, ale jestem niesamowicie zadowolony z tego, jak się prezentuję - wyjawił 22-latek.

Z kolei Auger Aliassime powalczy z Matteo Berrettinim, z którym jest w przyjacielskich relacjach. - On jest jednym z moich najlepszych kolegów w rozgrywkach. Oglądaliśmy razem ćwierćfinał Euro 2020 Włochy - Belgia. Ale będziemy w stanie oddzielić to, co na korcie i poza nim. To dwie różne rzeczy - stwierdził.

Auger-Aliassime i Shapovalov podkreślają, że grają na wysokim poziomie i czują się dobrze. A więc dwóch Kanadyjczyków w półfinale? To byłoby dopiero wspaniałe wydarzenie dla całego kraju.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/94789 ... st-za-nami

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Wimby21: 1 półfinał w Wielkim Szlemie!

[15] Denis Shapovalov d. [25] Karen Chaczanow 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-1 6-4

[Damian]

Shapo's 'Love/Hate' Relationship With Grass

Spoiler:

Learn about the Canadian's dream grass-court player

Editor's Note: Denis Shapovalov is into his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon. This story was originally published on 9 June 2021.

Denis Shapovalov will return to the ATP Tour this week as the top seed at the MercedesCup, an ATP 250 grass-court event based in Stuttgart. The No. 14 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, who is 14-11 on the season, will be eager to improve his record in the German city, having lost in the first round in 2018 and 2019.

The 22-year-old Canadian, who is searching for his first title of the year in Stuttgart, sat down with ATPTour.com to discuss his love for grass-court tennis, his memories of the John Isner-Nicolas Mahut epic at Wimbledon – and why he has a 'love-hate relationship' with his favourite surface.

What is the biggest adjustment you have to make when switching to grass?
I just think it is a lot smaller steps on the grass to adjust and you can’t take big steps because then you are going to be out of place, or you are going to be more likely to slip. I think it is just those little steps here and there and it puts a lot of pressure on the legs and the calves, so that is the biggest adjustment.

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to grass-court tennis?
Probably diving. It is the season to dive, even though I am too scared to do it. I will just watch the other guys do it.

Do you suffer from allergies on the grass?
Yeah, I have been dying the last two days, it has been brutal. Usually, this is the time of year I have allergies, so for sure it is difficult as my nose gets stuffed, and my eyes get itchy. It is brutal. Normally during the match, I will be fine. It is after in the evening and with the pollen too, it just gets to you, but I still love it, so it is a love-hate relationship.

You May Also Like: Why Felix Says The Grass Is Always Greener
Your favourite thing about playing on grass?
Just the feeling, standing on the grass. The feeling under your feet is soft and so different. It feels like a different sport, almost. To play on the grass and the history behind it, it is just amazing to be out there. It is a really short part of the season but probably the most fun.

The worst thing about playing on grass?
That the season is so short it is tough to get into it. You have to be sharp right off the bat otherwise it is tricky, and you will get to Wimbledon, and other guys are more comfortable than you and you haven’t really adjusted, so it is important to feel good from the first day.

Most memorable Wimbledon match as a fan?
A lot of Roger Federer’s matches. Him against Andy Roddick when he beat the record for Grand Slams [moving to 15 in 2009], and I remember watching the match and it was such great tennis. Also, the Mahut-Isner match [in 2010] was unbelievable. I can’t even remember if I watched that match or just saw it play out over the three days. It was pretty cool to know that it was a part of history, but I was not watching for the whole entire 11 hours, though!

How To Watch

For playing on grass, do you prefer all white or something with colour?
I am not a big fan of the all-white, to be honest. I get that it is a part of history and this and that, but I think it could be cool to have at least some colour. But I do understand it and appreciate the history behind it, but I like to have some style, of course, being young you don’t want to follow all the rules. If they let you put some colour on, I would probably pick the shoes and make them super flashy.

You get the Royal Box + 1, who would you bring?
My girlfriend, Mirjam. Of course, she would appreciate it and we would have a blast. She is a big tennis fan.

Serve and volley or chip and charge?
Serve and volley. I do it more often, but I do appreciate a good chip and charge, I just don’t think I am as good as that, I will leave that to Roger. I’ll just let rip from the return games and then serve and volley.

Fresh cut grass or worn-down grass?
Fresh cut, not about the feeling but it just looks so nice. Once it is worn down it does not look quite as neat. You are doing well in the tournament if it is worn down, but unfortunately, besides juniors, that has not been the case for me.


If you could play any player from any generation on grass, who would it be and why?
Who is terrible on grass? I would want an easy match. No, maybe Bjorn Borg or Pete Sampras, just to feel what it’s like to play against them, especially on that surface where they’ve had so much success. Roger as well, but hopefully I can still get that chance. If I had to choose one, I’d say Borg and we’d go wooden rackets, and I wouldn’t win a game.

Build the perfect grass-court player - forehand, backhand, serve, volley, slice?
Milos Raonic on the serve, his serve is a joke, especially on the grass, his kick would be crazy. Forehand Rafael Nadal. That heavy spin is hard to handle, and I want to save Roger for the volley. The return has got to be Novak Djokovic, I don’t need to go further. Backhand, Andy Murray, it is so compact. Slice would be Feliciano Lopez, it is incredible.

Three things you would bring while waiting in the Wimbledon queue overnight?
Well, I’d bring a tent, sleeping bag, and a portable battery for my phone. Even though that is four things, I can bring the battery attached to the phone.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/shapova ... s-court-qa

[Damian]

The Nomadic Life With... Denis Shapovalov

Spoiler:

The Canadian will play Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals

Editor's Note: Denis Shapovalov is into his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon. This story was originally published on 13 May 2021.

Denis Shapovalov is one of the most dynamic, energetic young players on the ATP Tour. The 22-year-old has made plenty of noise on the court, reaching a career-high World No. 10 in 2020. The Canadian has also earned fans with his rap music, too.

ATPTour.com caught up with Shapovalov to learn about his life on the ATP Tour, from the key items he travels with to a memorable travel story.

What are two essential non-tennis items you always pack for trips?
Definitely my headphones, just to listen to music all the time. Every plane ride I’ve got the headphones in, just killing time listening to different music. I've been listening to a lot of hip-hop stuff, actually. I like G-Eazy, I’m a big fan of his. I listen to his music a lot. But recently, I’ve been getting into a lot of Russian music… these guys are also hip-hop artists. In Russian it’s a cool change, so I’ve been listening to that.

The other [thing I need] has got to be my phone, just to connect with people, connect with everyone and find ways to communicate with everyone all over the world.


What item did you forget to bring one time that caused you distress?
I don’t think I’ve actually ever forgotten anything that bad. There was one trip where I forgot underwear, so I guess that’s pretty bad. But I just bought some, so it’s fine. It worked out fine! I’m pretty good with that stuff. I’ll quadruple check that I have the important things.

Do you enjoy travelling the world or consider it just something that needs to be done to be a pro tennis player? If you do enjoy it, what do you enjoy about travelling?
I do enjoy travelling, but not to the extent that we have to because of tennis. For me, I do enjoy staying in one place as well and settling down and having my own space, my own time and sleeping in my own bed.

Travel was quite a change for me and it wasn’t really easy when I first came on Tour, because it was a pretty big change. I was struggling with that a little bit, but through the years I’ve just gained experience, gotten used to it and kind of gotten comfortable with it. Now I really do enjoy travelling and seeing all these different places. It’s always fun seeing different things, different tournaments and knowing the tournaments now, you know what spots you like and what cities you enjoy, so you look forward to it every year.

Can you talk about a time you decided to play a specific tournament in part because you wanted to travel to that city?
Especially this year, I’ve been trying to play a lot of new tournaments to get a feel for places. Because we’ve been in a bubble — we haven’t been able to leave — I’ve tried to find excitement somewhere else by just playing new events. I played Doha and Dubai for the first time.

It’s a different kind of feeling, kind of fun going to a new tournament compared to somewhere you’ve been. For me, I’ve been trying to do that this year. In general, you do try to pick the spots you like the most, the places you feel more comfortable with, the surfaces. For me, I specifically like the American culture and vibes, big cities, so I do enjoy playing in North America or in Australia. I’ve had my best results there so I try to play there as much as possible.


What is your favourite tournament city to visit and why?
I love Australia a lot. It reminds me a lot of Canada, the people and the atmosphere, so I enjoy that a lot. There are so many great places. Paris of course, London, all these great events. I met my girlfriend in Barcelona, so great memories at that tournament. I feel like every spot you go, there’s a specific thing you remember or you like about it and that just gets you excited to go back there.

Where is your favourite vacation destination?
I’ve never been there, but I’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives. I do live in the Bahamas, so it’s not too shabby for vacation. It’s amazing there and a great spot to get away and just relax.

What is your craziest travel story?
I had one recently that sucked. I was in Bradenton and was heading down to Miami for my flight to Barcelona. Everything was fine, we got there and we were just about to board and then right before we were about to board, they cancelled the flight. There was this whole struggle of having to do the PCR test again, because ours would expire. We had to rush out of the airport and get one done as soon as possible to get the results the next morning and we didn’t know if the results would come or not. Luckily, they did.

Then you have the flight the next day. It’s super tough to travel with the situation right now, but for sure those experiences are pretty cool looking back at it. When you do enter those tough travel situations, you just have to stay calm and I think I do a pretty good job. I just accept it. It is what it is, let’s see what we can do and move past it. I’m pretty happy that everything worked out.

As a tennis player, maintaining your body is of the utmost importance, so how do you take care of it during long trips?
During the trip, it’s tough. Basically I just try to sleep as much as possible. I try to let the time go by as quickly as possible, so that’s what I do. But of course, right off the flight, you try to get a flush, get the lactic acid out of your body. You get worked on by your physio, a nice massage, and try to even move or go for a run just to get used to the ground and everything again. Pretty much just feel your body the first couple days.

Of course, it’s tough to expect much from your tennis, especially when you go overseas and [you have to deal with] the time change and everything the first couple days. It’s really just feeling out the body and making sure everything is in place.


Are there any routines or activities you do to create a sense of ‘home on the road’ to feel more comfortable?
I make a huge mess! It makes me feel right at home. The weird thing is I’m actually way cleaner at home than I am at hotel rooms. I just go into tank mode in my hotel room. At home I want to keep it tidy in case people come over. It’s my space, so I try to clean after myself. Really making that mess or just putting my stuff in certain places, it does kind of make you feel at home. I don’t think I ever fully feel like I’m at home, I always have that feeling that I’m at a hotel. But maybe making a mess subconsciously somewhat makes me feel comfortable.

I like coffee a lot, so I also try to find some nice coffee places. Some cafes, just places to settle down and get away from the tennis a little bit.

Are you someone who gets to the airport with lots of time to spare or do you cut it fine?
I get there really early usually. I’d rather be early. I just walk through the shops and just kill time. I don’t mind being there. Grabbing a bite before the flight is good, because I don’t like the plane food too much. I get there early, I have some time to sit down, have some food and get ready for the flight.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/shapova ... e-may-2021

[Barty]

[Barty]

[Barty]

Shapovalov prevails in quarter-final thriller

Spoiler:

Canadian books his place in his first Grand Slam semi-final with a five-set win over Karen Khachanov

"The Fastest Hand in the West" was Boris Becker's memorable description of Denis Shapovalov on the pulsating afternoon when the 22-year-old Canadian won a five-setter against Russia's Karen Khachanov to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final.


There's no mistaking the admiration that past generations of Wimbledon champions have for Shapovalov's tennis, with John McEnroe speaking of his "live arm". That left arm was certainly lively as Shapovalov came from two sets to one down against Khachanov, taking him through to play Novak Djokovic and putting him within two more matches of becoming the first Canadian to land the gentlemen's singles title.

At 6ft 1in, Shapovalov is five inches shorter than Khachanov, and doesn't have the bearded Muscovite's muscularity, but he is capable of serving at 137mph, and of generating plenty of power with his groundstrokes. He hit 59 winners in all.

After almost three and a half hours, Shapovalov fell on to his back in celebration, coating his Wimbledon whites in baseline dust, after a 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 victory that gives him a first semi-final appearance in any of the Grand Slams.

"Novak's the best player in the world, but anything's possible," Shapovalov said of Friday's match with Djokovic, who is attempting to win a third consecutive title (and sixth in total) at the All England Club.

MATCH STATISTICS
KK DS
3 ACES 18
7 DOUBLE FAULTS 10
99/162 (61%) 1ST SERVE IN 83/131 (63%)
3/8 (38%) BREAK POINTS WON 5/19 (26%)
31 WINNERS 59
50 UNFORCED ERRORS 48
134 TOTAL POINTS WON 159
220
KM/H FASTEST SERVE FROM SHAPOVALOV
Played in windy conditions, this was an absorbing, athletic encounter on No.1 Court between a couple of first-time Wimbledon quarter-finalists, which contained drop-shots, angles and tweeners as well as big hitting.

While he has a silent 'K' in his surname, and a gentle nature, Khachanov makes himself heard with his confrontational, hard-hitting game. Khachanov's grip is so extreme on his forehand, so far beyond the Western grip, that McEnroe says you could call it Hawaiian. And there is also nothing ordinary about the power with which he was hitting his forehand.

While this was the second five-setter of Shapovalov's tournament, the first one, against Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the opening round, was more than a week ago. And he had since had a walkover through the second round and beaten his next two opponents – Britain's Andy Murray and Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut – in straight sets. He had more than enough energy for the fifth set. It was in that set that Shapovalov produced his fastest serve of the match, and his entire tournament.

Khachanov, by contrast, appeared to tire in the latter stages, no doubt feeling the effects of the five-setter he had played just two days earlier when he defeated America's Sebastian Korda 10-8 in the final set. It was Shapovalov, the boys' champion here five years ago, who advanced.

https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/ar ... iller.html

[Barty]

Shapovalov ready for Djokovic challenge

Spoiler:

Denis Shapovalov is "super super proud" of his quarter-final performance and is ready for his meeting with No.1 seed Novak Djokovic

Only five years ago Denis Shapovalov was heralded as a Wimbledon champion. The swashbuckling style of the Canadian youngster landed him the 2016 boys’ title.

The following season Shapovalov wielded his majestic single-handed backhand to break on to the scene on home soil with a semi-final run at the Montreal Masters.

Some have seen his form since as fluctuating, some have questioned its development, but Shapovalov relishes proving his doubters wrong.

On Wednesday the 22-year-old edged a mesmerising 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 tussle with No.25 seed Karen Khachanov to earn a maiden Grand Slam semi-final.

I'M FEELING REALLY GOOD. I'M FEELING GREAT PHYSICALLY AND TENNIS-WISE

KHACHANOV AND SHAPOVALOV: MESMERISING
Next up, defending champion Novak Djokovic. Every stat and social media post points towards the world No.1’s dominance and grass court prowess (100 match wins).

Shapovalov believes he has the artillery to alter the narrative in his favour.

“We've played a couple times. Obviously he's gotten the better of me (0-6 head-to-head). But the last couple times that we've played, it's been really, really tight. I'm feeling really good. I'm feeling great physically and tennis-wise,” insisted the defiant No.10 seed, now at 11-11 on the grass.

“He's been playing really well. It's definitely a tough battle ahead of me. When you walk out on that match, the score is 0-0. It's a tennis match. Anything can happen. I'm going to fight for every point and believe in myself.

“I do believe that I have the game to beat him and the game to win that match. It really comes down to who's playing the best on Friday and that's it. Nothing's ever guaranteed.”

The world No.12, having taken out Andy Murray and No.8 seed Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets this Fortnight, admitted he had a few strokes of luck on No.1 Court.

WHEN YOU WALK OUT ON THAT MATCH, THE SCORE IS 0-0. IT'S A TENNIS MATCH. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR EVERY POINT AND BELIEVE IN MYSELF.

“Honestly I felt that he was outplaying me for most of the match. I had some chances, but he was playing really, really well in those. Kind of everything was going his way,” reflected the 22-year-old, having used his experience to adjust and adapt.

The Canadian also reached this stage at the US Open in 2020, only to fall narrowly short in the decisive fifth set.

“I think going into the fifth set today was exactly what I took. I was in a similar position against Pablo Carreño Busta at the US Open. I won the fourth set I think at 6-0, really easily. It kind of allowed myself to just relax a little bit and think that everything's under control, that I have momentum,” added Shapovalov.


“Then things kind of turned quickly. After the fourth set today, I told myself, just using that experience from the US Open, I knew going into the fifth set I've got to leave everything I have on the court for every single point that I play. I really felt like I was really in every single return, every single shot. That's the difference I made.

“I think my game just elevated. It's something to be super, super proud of myself for.”

Khachanov praised the No.10 seed’s ability to keep going for brave, front-foot striking down the finishing straight.

I THINK MY GAME JUST ELEVATED. IT'S SOMETHING TO BE SUPER, SUPER PROUD OF MYSELF FOR

ELEVATED GAME
“It's something I've been working on, because maybe sometimes I'm a little bit too wild and I don't make the opponents earn it on the big points. I've been a little bit more conservative actually this tournament. But it wasn't working out today, to be honest, against Karen,” explained Shapovalov.

“I knew in the fourth and fifth, I have to dictate myself and be aggressive. Otherwise he was going to win the match.”

The 22-year-old, just the third Canadian man ever to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals, paid credit to his mother, who sculpted his game in the early years.

“It's just my personality. From juniors, from a young age, I never was a player that would sit back and wait for my opponent's mistakes. I always wanted to be the one dictating. I was always coming to the net from 10, 12 years old. Getting lobbed back there, losing points,” recalled Shapovalov.

“First of all, my mom always told me later on you're going to grow and this is going to be an advantage to you. It's something that is yours, you have to keep and maintain it for the future.

“I think that was massive from her, because I feel like a lot of players, when they're young, they kind of lose that because even if they have it, they're scared at that age to get lobbed or lose points. For me, it was great that she had that vision for my game years ahead.”

Time for Denis to dictate against the world’s best. One thing is for sure, Shapovalov won’t be deterred in his approach or belief, whatever Djokovic sends over the net.

https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/ar ... lenge.html

[Damian]

Shapovalov: 'My Game Just Elevated'

Spoiler:

The Canadian used last year's US Open experience to his advantage
Canadian Denis Shapovalov revealed that he used the experience he gained from his quarter-final defeat to Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open last September to his advantage on Wednesday, as he overcame Karen Khachanov to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon.

The 10th seed had won the fourth set 6-0 in New York last year. Shapovalov almost mirrored this on Wednesday, claiming the fourth set 6-1 against the Russian. While he felt his level dropped in the fifth set at Flushing Meadows, he raised it against Khachanov at SW19.

“I think going into the fifth set today was exactly what I took. I was in a similar position against Carreno Busta at the US Open. I won the fourth set really easily,” Shapovalov said. “It kind of allowed myself to just, like, relax a little bit and think that everything's under control, that I have momentum. Then things kind of turned quickly.

You May Also Like: Shapovalov Wins Five-Set Epic; Reaches First Wimbledon SF
“So, I knew going into the fifth set I've got to leave everything I have on the court for every single point that I play. I really felt like I was really in every single return, every single shot. That's the difference I made.

“After the fourth set, I told myself, just using that experience from the US Open, this is what I want to change and really start the set off well. I think my game just elevated. It's something to be super, super proud of myself for.”

Shapovalov, who became just the second Canadian man, along with Milos Raonic (2014, 2016), to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon in the Open Era, was delighted with his performance levels on No. 1 Court in the big moments.

“I knew in the fourth and fifth, I have to dictate myself and be aggressive. Otherwise, he was going to win the match. It comes pretty naturally to me,” Shapovalov said. “I've always been an aggressive player. I've always wanted to go for shots.

“I knew I had to serve big as well. I think the fifth set is where I served the best, to be honest. My percentage for sure raised. The speed of my serves was much faster. I think it was a real tough battle out there. It took a lot out of me, but super, super proud of myself.”


The 22-year-old will next face top Novak Djokovic on Centre Court on Friday in a bid to extend his run further and reach a maiden Grand Slam final.

Shapovalov feels that while it will be tough, he has nothing to fear ahead of his meeting with the five-time Wimbledon champion and feels physically strong.

“Definitely a super difficult match ahead of me. I believe in my game. I think I've been playing really, really good tennis. To beat these players with the way I've been playing, it's not easy to do,” Shapovalov said. “So, I have full belief in myself and in my game that I'm able to win on Friday.

“I think when you're at the semi-finals of a tournament, there's not really underdogs. Honestly, it's been great. Even today when I played the fifth set, I felt super, super fresh. I feel fresh now. Hopefully, that continues.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/shapova ... y-reaction

[Damian]

[Lucas]