DALLAS/STARNBERG, February 10, 2025
Denis Shapovalov has clinched the biggest title of his career by winning the Dallas Open. The 25-year-old Canadian beat World No. 5 Casper Ruud of Norway 7-6(5), 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final of the ATP 500 event in Texas.
Appearing in his eighth ATP Tour final, the 25-year-old Canadian’s run included wins over two other top 10 opponents, the United States’ Taylor Fritz and defending champion Tommy Paul in the second round and semi-finals respectively. By beating Ruud, the Canadian became the first player on tour to overcome three top 10 players at the same tournament this year.
In Sunday’s championship match, Shapovalov took the first set to his opponent, leaning on his serve to hit 12 aces to Ruud’s two. Eventually, it went to a tie-break, which the Canadian held his nerve to win 7-5. In the second, he continued on the front foot, and broke Ruud on his first service game to edge in front. It was a lead Shapovalov did not relinquish as he saw out the set 6-3.
The moment @denis_shapo added ATP 500 champion to his resume @DALOpenTennis | #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/uAov1ZC1ii
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 9, 2025
“There’s a lot to be happy about,” Shapovalov said in his on-court interview. “Of course it’s the biggest title of my career. I had a good chance against [Daniil] Medvedev a couple years ago [in Vienna, 2022], but he played a terrific match after losing the first. I’m really happy to stay strong this time and get the win.”
Shapovalov has earned all three of his tour-level titles on indoor hard courts, with his previous two coming in Stockholm (2019) and Belgrade (2024). Shapovalov’s victory at the Dallas Open will secure his return to the world’s top 40 for the first time since October 2023 when the rankings are updated on Monday, with him expected to climb to No. 32.
Harrison/King earn doubles title
In other action, qualifiers Christian Harrison and Evan King defeated Ariel Behar from Uruguay and Robert Galloway from the United States, 7-6(4), 7-6(4) to clinch the doubles crown. The US-American duo have only been together for a short time. This is their first title in only their second ATP Tour event, now with an overall record of 4-1.
“We have chemistry, and we understand each other’s game pretty well,” Harrison said post-match. “You can feel that excitement when we are playing together. We were just playing our game and enjoying the week. We’ll have these memories forever.”
Added King, “We’ve known each other for a long time. Christian has been a good friend. It is an awesome feeling, I’m a little bit in shock but it has been a fun ride.”
