Denis Shapovalov: Playing without fans made it easier against Taylor Fritz

World No. 17 Denis Shapovalov admitted there was a lot of moment switches over the course of his US Open third round clash against Taylor Fritz but he was happy that he managed to claim the win. 

Shapovalov, seeded at No. 12, edged out 17th-seeded Fritz 3-6 6-3 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-2 to reach the US Open round-of-16 for the second time in his career. 

In each of the past two seasons, Shapovalov made the third round at the US Open, before falling short in five sets.

"Yeah, it was definitely an up-and-down match. I feel like throughout the match there was a lot of momentum switches. I was down first, then up in the second and third, then he came back, then I broke back. It was a little bit of a seesaw there," Shapovalov said post-match.

"Felt like he kind of ran with it at the beginning of the fourth. I felt like I was getting good looks on his serve games, so I just wanted to stay with him. I know it's never easy serving out a match like that, so I'm getting a little bit tight. Just tried to make him play as much as possible.

"I felt like we both played a really good tiebreak, both served really well. I just got a little bit lucky. I guessed the right direction on set point. I was able to hit a good forehand.

"In the fifth set, I felt I had the experience the last two years losing in five sets. Felt like my opponents really raised their game, stepped up their level and intensity in that fifth set. I tried to do the same today. I felt like getting that early break, getting that good start, was critical.

"I'm really happy I was able to get the win."

Shapovalov admits no crowd benefited him 

The match was tight and Shapovalov admitted that it would have been much more difficult for him had there been a crowd to cheer for local player Fritz.

"Yeah, definitely. I feel like he was obviously the crowd favorite, so playing without the fans this match, of course it's a little bit easier for me. But, yeah, I do get a lot of love in New York. There's a lot of support for me as well. I'm sure he would have still been the crowd favorite, but I don't think it would have been 100-0," Shapovalov said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3bAn96v