Surging Shapovalov stops defending champ Paul to reach Dallas final

Injuries and time out of the spotlight made Denis Shapovalov a bit of a forgotten man on the ATP tour for a while. But he has re-emerged in a big way in the last six months, winning the title in Belgrade last fall — his first in five years — that changed the complexion of the 25-year-old’s career.

This week in Dallas, the former world No 10 is taking another step towards rebuilding his aura.  

Shapovalov took down defending champion Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-3 to reach the final at the 500-level event. The Canadian, who also took down top seated American Taylor Fritz in the round of 16, has defeated multiple top 10 players at the same event for the first time since 2020.

He jumps to No 38 in the live rankings, and could go higher with a title. Monday will mark Shapovalov’s first week inside the top-50 since October of 2023.

“It’s definitely showing all the work we’ve done,” Shapovalov said. “Hopefully we can do our best to lift another trophy tomorrow.”

The numbers and Shapovalov’s form match up. The Ontario native has played scintillating tennis this week. Last night he was thoroughly dominating against Czech Tomas Machac, backing up his upset of world No 4 Fritz by handing the rising talent a bagel in the second set to complete a straight set victory.

Today against the defending champion, the lef- handed phenom matched the American in intensity and athleticism. And he never let his level slip. 

The 25-year-old hit 28 winners against 16 for Paul. He was lethal from his backhand wing, crushing eight winners to just two from Paul.

Shapovalov converted a break of serve late in each set and he saved all three break points he faced against the No 9-ranked and third-seeded American. There were moments where he could have wilted. Paul put pressure on him in the second set, taking him to deuce and beyond in four of his five service games of the set, and earning two break points with the Canadian serving at 2-2. 

Each time, Shapovalov rose to the occasion, producing stellar serving to keep himself out of trouble. 

“It’s definitely a big weapon for me… it’s helped me get out of a lot of trouble this week.

“Definitely a big rhythm thing on the serve, it’s easy for it to go off, but when it’s on it helps for sure,” Shapovalov said of his serve.

The world number 54 has already secured a return to the top 50 for the first time since October 2023. Now he has his sights set on the title. He will face Casper Ruud in Sunday’s title match in Texas.   

Ruud edged Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 to reach his 24th career final on Saturday.

The former world number 10 is into his eighth ATP final and he will bid for his third title overall. 

“It’s definitely going to be a difficult match,” Shapovalov said. “But I’ve beaten some great players this week. I’ll go for it, obviously there’s nothing to lose for me.”

The Canadian defeated Serb Miomir Kecmanovic (6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3), American Taylor Fritz, the top seed (2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2)) and No 6 seed Tomas Machac (7-6 (5), 6-0) in the previous rounds of the Dallas tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Paul, ranked No 9, won against wildcard Jenson Brooksby (6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-4), qualifier Ethan Quinn (6-4, 5-7, 6-4) and wildcard Reilly Opelka (7-6 (3), 6-2).

Dallas ATP 500, other semi-final result (Ford Center at The Star, hard, USD 2.760.000):

• Casper Ruud beat Jaume Munar: 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (4)

You might also like this

Hurkacz can’t solve Alcaraz, as the Spaniard reaches his first indoor final in Rotterdam

tennis majors

Beaten Swiatek disappointed at missed opportunity but positive for rest of season

tennis majors

Shapovalov storms past Machac to make Dallas semi-finals

tennis majors