Published 21:18 IST, October 20th 2019
Shapovalov clinches maiden ATP title defeating Krajinov in Stockholm
After seven staright losses, 20-year-old Denis Shapovalov lifts his maiden ATP title after a 6-4, 6-4 win over Filip Krajinovic in the Stockholm Open final
After seven straight losses, Denis Shapovalov lifts his maiden ATP title defeating Filip Krajinovic in the final of the Stockholm Open. Filip Krajinovic was also pursuing his first ATP Tour crown.
World number 34 Shapovalov also became the first Canadian ATP singles champion since Milos Raonic won at Brisbane back in January 2016.
The official Twitter account for the ATP 250 tournament posted the official winning moment.
Krojinovic's backhand land sealed the deal for Shapovalov
Denis played well the entire week and did not drop a single set throughout the week in Stockholm. On Sunday, he dropped 12 points in ten service games and fended off the only break point he faced to mount the pressure on Krajinovic who was not able to deal with it. Shapovalov smashed nine aces in the first set alone to display a power start.
With neither player able to break serve in a series of marathon games early in the second set, Shapovalov soon earned his chance to serve for the match. With consistent pace and depth on his returns at 4-4, Shapovalov quickly took control of points with his forehand to break his opponent for a second time.
Krajinovic suffered a backhand landing in the net serving in that ninth game, and that was all Shapovalov needed to seal the deal with three winners in the tenth game, starting a massive celebration of his first out of many ATP titles.
Nadal and Djokovic slammed
Meanwhile, tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been heavily criticised by the director of the ATP sanctioned Vienna Open, Edwin Weindorfer, for taking part in an exhibition match to be played in Kazakhstan on October 24, to raise money for charity. The criticism comes after the revelation that both the players will not be taking part in the Vienna Open and Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel.
Updated 22:42 IST, October 20th 2019