Shapovalov scores quarter-final victory over Dimitrov at Rome Masters

• Internazionali BNL d’Italia quarter-final

• Shapovalov d. Dimitrov 6-2, 2-6, 6-2

• Key info: Shapovalov earned his 100th ATP-level match victory
• You will also learn: Shapovalov could face nine-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal in the semis
• Why you should read this story: This continues an amazing record for the lefty in Masters quarter-finals

Denis Shapovalov earned a three-set victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters on Saturday night. The 21-year-old won 80 percent of his first-serve points and broke Dimitrov five times to prevail in one hour and 50 minutes.

Shapovalov looked sharp to start the match, winning three games in a row from 0-1 to 3-1 and then winning three more in succession after Dimitrov briefly got it back to 2-3. The Canadian did not face a single break point in the first set. Dimitrov, however, hit back in the second. The Bulgarian’s only two service breaks of the match came at 2-1 and 4-3 in the middle of frame of play, helping him force a decider.

Shapovalov stays perfect in Masters 1000 quarter-finals

There was one more momentum swing to be had, and it went in Shapovalov’s favor. The world No 14 bounced back impressively from the second-set hiccup, racing to a 3-0 lead in the third. He consolidated his advantage the whole way on serve and then broke Dimitrov again at 5-2 to wrap up the proceedings in style.

Shapovalov is now 5-0 lifetime in quarter-final matches at Masters events. He also picked up the 100th tour-level victory of his young career.

Things you love to see 😍@denis_shapo is now 5-0 in Masters 1000 quarter-finals! pic.twitter.com/NccMiql4LD

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 19, 2020

Shapovalov unbeaten in Masters 1000 QFs:

5-0

Rome (2020) b. Dimitrov
Bercy (2019) b. Monfils
Miami (2019) b. Tiafoe
Madrid (2018) b. Edmund
Canada (2017) b. Mannarino

— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) September 19, 2020

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