By Canadian Press

Opportunistic Medvedev converts key breaks in win over Shapovalov

Aug 18, 2022 | 12:33 PM

CINCINNATI — Denis Shapovalov gave up a pair of 11th-game breaks in a 7-5, 7-5 loss to world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in third-round action Thursday at the Western & Southern Open Masters-level tennis tournament.

Shapovalov showed flashes of skill at points during the match, particularly in the ninth game of the second set. Shapovalov fought off four break points and took a 5-4 lead after winning a game that took nine minutes 42 seconds to complete.

There is little margin for error when facing Medvedev, however. After the Russian held serve to tie the game 5-5, Shapovalov fell behind early in the 11th game, committing a forced error at the net on the first point then committing a double fault to go down 30-15.

Shapovalov tied the game 30-30 but Medvedev won the next two points, finishing the break when Shapovalov ended an eight-volley rally with his 21st unforced error of the match.

Medvedev served to love in the deciding game to win the match in one hour 46 minutes.

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Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., went down an early break in the first set, but converted his only break point of the match in the eighth game to tie the set 4-4.

After both players held, Medvedev converted his fourth break point of Game 11 to take a 6-5 lead. In the following game, he set up set point with an ace then won it when Shapovalov couldn’t handle his serve.

Medvedev has won three straight matches against Shapovalov and leads the career series 3-2.

Seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal was scheduled to face 10th seed Jannik Sinner of Italy later Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2022.

The Canadian Press