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Match Report
Shapovalov downs Borges in Belgrade for milestone win
Cerundolo sees off Safiullin at indoor hard-court ATP 250
November 06, 2024
SerbiaOpen
Denis Shapovalov surges into his 40th tour-level quarter-final.
By Jerome Coombe
Denis Shapovalov is rounding off his comeback season in style with an impressive run at the Belgrade Open.
The 25-year-old produced a near-flawless performance on Wednesday to defeat fifth seed Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4 and advance to his 40th tour-level quarter-final. Shapovalov, who came through qualifying, was clinical on serve throughout the match, during which he won 91 per cent (31/34) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“It was a fast-paced match today, I started really well out the gates,” said Shapovalov, who broke Borges’ serve in the opening game. “I kept the momentum going. I’ve been playing well all week, so I am very happy with another win.
“It’s one of the best wins of the season for me, so I’ll enjoy it a little bit and then I’ll start thinking about the quarter-finals.”
SUPER DENIS 🌟@denis_shapo is into his 4⃣0⃣th tour-level QF 🫡#BelgradeOpen pic.twitter.com/sgXP1d9Rl7
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 6, 2024
Shapovalov’s 2023 season was cut short by a knee injury, but the Canadian has made a steady return to action throughout this year. With his 64-minute win, the former No. 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings is into his third tour-level quarter-final of 2024 (Washington, Basel).
Shapovalov will next face Christopher O’Connell for a spot in the last four after the Australian fired past Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-1.
Earlier, Francisco Cerundolo served up some revenge by ousting Roman Safiullin and levelling the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 1-1. The third seed, who fell to Safiullin in the first round of Wimbledon in July, dialled in for a 6-4, 6-4 win.
“I knew it was going to be a super tough match, but I think I played pretty well,” said Cerundolo, who improved to 34-30 on the season. “I’m super happy because he is a tough player. If you don’t serve well, his return will come fast and then it’s difficult.”
Cerundolo fired six aces and saved each of the two break points he faced en route to a one-hour, 31-minute triumph. In his 22nd tour-level quarter-final, Cerundolo will face Serbian wild card Hamad Medjedovic.