MILAN, November 8, 2017
Denis Shapovalov picked up his first win at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan beating Italian wild card entry Gianluigi Quinzi 4-1, 4-1, 3-4(5), 4-3(5) in Wednesday’s evening session.
The 18-year-old Canadian, who lost his opening match in Group A to Hyeon Chung, won 87 per cent of his first service points and blasted 41 winners to seal victory in one hour and 29 minutes.
Canada’s @denis_shapo sprinkled his magic at the Fiera Milano, firing *forty-one* winners… pic.twitter.com/ttpij0Z2hI
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) 8. November 2017
“It was extremely tough. Gianluigi started playing unbelievable in the third set,” Shapovalov said. “It was tough to stay in it mentally so I’m really proud of myself.”
The only teenager at the inaugural tournament is now 1-1 in Milan and will have a chance to reach the semi-finals on Thursday when he take on top seed Andrey Rublev of Russia. The winner will advance to the stage of the final four.
Earlier in the day, Hyeon Chung booked his place in the semi-finals with a 4-0, 4-1, 4-3(1) win over Andrey Rublev. The 21-year-old from Korea capitalized on five of his seven break point chances to finish the encounter in one hour and eight minutes.
“The score looks easy, but it was not easy on the court. Every point was a fight,” Chung said. “I’m trying to play my best, focus on every point.”
Khachanov Overcomes Opening Loss
In Group B, Karen Khachanov cruised past US-American Jared Donaldson 4-1, 4-3(3), 4-2 in just under one hour play. The 21-year-old Russian lost to countryman Daniil Medvedev in four sets in the opening match of the tournament while Donaldson fell to Borna Coric in straight sets.
Medvedev and Coric meet in Wednesday’s final encounter.
