Denis Shapovalov performed one in every of his most full matches of the season, defeating twenty sixth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(3), 6-3 to advance to the third spherical of Madrid.
The Canadian struck 33 winners and fired eight aces to gather his second clay courtroom win of 2024.
In a match dripping with high quality from the outset, the 2 opponents engaged in some thrilling and bodily baseline rallies on the pink clay in Spain.
It was Shapovalov who struck first, unleashing a pair of early forehand winners to interrupt for a 2-1 lead, solely to see the Argentinian instantly degree the rating, as little or no separated the 2 gamers. The opening set would stay degree till 5-all because the Canadian once more caught fireplace, hitting consecutive winners from the backhand aspect. A fragile drop shot winner secured a break to like.
Learn extra: Auger-Aliassime, Fernandez rally to win Madrid Openers
Etcheverry once more responded, saving a set level, and hitting a working forehand move to interrupt again and pressure a tiebreak. There, the Canadian gained the higher hand, profitable three consecutive factors to construct a 5-2 lead, earlier than closing the set 7-6(3) in 68 minutes.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario participant maintained his balanced and managed aggression within the second, hanging a pair of unpolluted winners to interrupt for a 3-1 lead, whereas calmly conserving his nerve in his service video games, regardless of amassing 12 double faults over the course of the match.
See additionally: Shapovalov rallies previous Diaz Acosta in Madrid
Shapovalov gained 20 of 24 first serve factors, steadily conserving the Argentinian off steadiness and unable to create alternatives on return.
At 5-3, 15-15, a wonderfully measured lob winner positioned him nicely within the closing sport. A closing forehand strike that hit the baseline compelled an error from Etcheverry to safe the victory.
It was Shapovalov’s second win over a high 30 opponent this season, and first profession match with the Argentine.
The 25-year-old Canadian is thru to the third spherical of Madrid for the primary time since reaching the semi-finals in 2018.
Shapovalov will await the winner of Borna Coric or Alexander Zverev Sunday, as he goals to return to the spherical of 16 at a Masters 1000 for the primary time since 2022.
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