2020 in Review: Denis Shapovalov edges Stefanos Tsitsipas to send Canada..

At the inaugural ATP Cup staged in January, Canada became the first team with a win, beating Greece 3-0 at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane. In the first match, Felix Auger-Aliassime took down world no. 487 Michail Pervolarakis 6-1, 6-3 in 69 minutes to put Canada in front and kick off the season in a winning way after an injury in the closing stages of 2019. The young Canadian lost only ten points on serve, never faced a break point and kept the pressure on the other side of the net. Pervolorakis couldn't match those numbers, serving at only 39% and suffering four breaks from ten chances offered to the better-ranked opponent. Settling into a nice rhythm on both serve and return, Auger-Aliassime grabbed the first set in no time after three breaks, delivering five easy holds in set number two and waiting for a chance on the return patiently. It came in the sixth game when he moved 4-2 up following a backhand error from Pervolarakis, sealing the deal at 5-3 to deliver the first point for his country.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the day, Denis Shapovalov prevailed against Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6, 7-6 in just over two hours to send Canada over the finish line. The ATP Finals champion claimed one point more than Canadian and faced only one break chance in the entire encounter, still finding himself on the losing side after failing to seize four break opportunities. Denis had more winners and more unforced errors, controlling the points and outplaying Stefanos in the shortest rallies up to four strokes. The Greek had the advantage in the mid-range exchanges, with nothing to separate them in the most extended points.

At the ATP Cup, Canada defeated Greece 3-0.

Shapovalov was there to challenge world no. 6, saving a set point at 4-5 in the first set and producing better tennis in the breakers to seal the deal and wrap up the first triumph of the season. The encounter kicked off with nine comfortable holds and Shapovalov fended off a set point at 4-5 with a service winner to prolong the action. Tsitsipas repelled two set points at 4-6 in the tie break before spraying a backhand mistake, allowing Shapovalov to take the set with an ace in the 14th point. The Greek saved a break point in the second set's second game and wasted his opportunity to move in front in game seven. The 11th game saw five deuces and two break chances for Stefanos. Denis remained calm and saved them both to reach a tie break, winning it 7-4 after a double fault from his opponent to carry Canada over the top.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3mtUC7u