Canadian Denis Shapovalov has his first ATP Tour title.
The fourth-seeded Shapovalov, of Richmond Hill, Ont., captured the Stockholm Open on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Serbian Filip Krajinovic.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a big step to win my first title,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗onestly, I think the most important thing for me is just to keep improving my game.B次元官网网址�
Not only was it ShapovalovB次元官网网址檚 first ATP title but he becomes the first Canadian Tour winner since Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., in Brisbane in January 2016.
It marked the first time Shapovalov had ever faced the No. 60-ranked Krajinovic.
The Canadian was ranked No. 34 in the world prior to this weekB次元官网网址檚 action but will crack the top-30 with this result for the first time since July. In April, Shapovalov jumped to a career-best 20th in the world rankings from No. 23 after reaching the semifinals of the Miami Open.
B次元官网网址淚 was No. 20 in the world but IB次元官网网址檓 not concerned about getting back to that ranking,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really happy with this week.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just going to try to take it one week at a time.B次元官网网址�
This tournament was also a breakthrough for Shapovalov, whoB次元官网网址檇 been 0-7 in semifinals before beating Yuichi Sugita on Saturday to advance to the final. And despite the victory, Shapovalov said heB次元官网网址檚 far from being a finished product.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot to improve,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 still a lot, not gaps, but areas where I can get better.
B次元官网网址淚 can definitely get (cleaner) at the net, improve my returns, improve my movements. ThereB次元官网网址檚 many things I can get better (at) that will help me for the future.B次元官网网址�
Shapovalov didnB次元官网网址檛 drop a set en route to becoming the first Canadian champion in this event.
B次元官网网址淭his tournament started the year my mom was born, so it has got a great history and it is amazing to be the first Canadian to win it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen all the amazing names up on the board, so it will be nice to see my name up there as well.B次元官网网址�
A Krajinovic double fault at 1-1 gave Shapovalov the crucial service break in the first set. The Canadian finished the opening set by converting on his third set point.
Shapovalov earned his second break to go ahead 5-4 in the second set. He closed out the match on his first championship point.
B次元官网网址淚 told myself as long as I keep taking care of my serve I will be okay,B次元官网网址� said Shapovalov. B次元官网网址淚n the second set, it was a little bit tough.
B次元官网网址淚 had a lot of deuce games on his serve and I wasnB次元官网网址檛 able to convert. I just kept fighting and stayed patient. Sooner or later I was able to get the break.B次元官网网址�
Shapovalov also denied Krajinovic his first ATP Tour title.
B次元官网网址淗e was the better player today, for sure, he played really well,B次元官网网址� said Krajinovic. B次元官网网址淚t was a great week for me, I keep going and I have to work.B次元官网网址�
The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on .
