Denis Shapovalov completed a sensational giant-killing run to the Dallas Open title by beating world number five Casper Ruud in straight sets on Sunday. (More Tennis News)
Shapovalov, who beat Taylor Fritz, Tomas Machac and Tommy Paul on his way to the showpiece match, emerged a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victor in one hour and 40 minutes.
The Canadian started strongly in the contest, firing 12 of his 13 aces throughout the match in the opening set and never faced a break point, but was still taken to a decider.
Ruud swatted a crosscourt forehand wide to hand Shapovalov a 5-4 lead in the tie-breaker, but he surrendered two set points before eventually taking the early advantage.
Shapovalov broke in the second game of the following set and had two more break chances soon after, but Ruud was able to cling on to reduce the deficit.
But the world number 54, who will jump to number 32 in the rankings after his latest title victory, sealed the win with an overhead smash to deny Ruud a 13th ATP crown.
"I've been facing some difficult injuries with the knee. It has been a long road back," Shapovalov said.
"Struggles to get some titles, to get that momentum going back on the court, but my team and the people close to me have kept lifting me up, kept putting me back on the right pathway whenever I've been down and these titles, Belgrade and this one, would definitely not be possible without them."
Data Debrief: Titan toppling Shapovalov impresses
Many would not have predicted Shapovalov to lift his third career ATP crown when looking at his draw in Dallas, but he proved those doubters wrong with some fine displays.
Excluding team events,바카라 웹사이트Shapovalov is the first player to claim three ATP top 10 wins at a single event below Masters 1000 level since Nick Kyrgios (Acapulco 2019).
But it was more final heartbreak for Ruud.바카라 웹사이트Since 2020, he has become the second player to lose six consecutive ATP event finals on hard court, along with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
