2020 in Review: Denis Shapovalov storms over frustrated Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev came to the ATP Cup as world no. 7, but he played way below that level. The German had a 6-4, 4-2 lead in the opening encounter against Alex de Minaur, losing ground in the rest of the second set and never finding his A-game by the end of the event, also struggling physically. In the second match, Alexander won five games against Stefanos Tsitsipas and played even worse in the final clash versus Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian earned a 6-2, 6-2 triumph in 70 minutes, keeping his country alive ahead of the doubles encounter. Denis fired 12 aces and lost only two points behind the first serve, fending off both break points and mounting the pressure on the other side of the net. The German was far from those numbers, struggling to find the first serve and landing seven double faults, enough to drop serve four times and propel Shapovalov over the top.

Denis had 26 winners and 14 unforced errors, overpowering the opponent in the shortest range up to four strokes and having the upper hand in the more advanced exchanges to bring the victory home in no time. The younger player painted a forehand down the line winner to secure a break at 15 in the opening game, gathering momentum and holding with a service winner in game two to confirm the advantage and settle into a nice rhythm. Zverev got his name on the scoreboard with an unreturned serve in game three, reaching three deuces on the return in the next one before Shapovalov brought it home with a forced error to maintain the advantage.

Denis Shapovalov needed 70 minutes to beat Alexander Zverev at the ATP Cup.

Alexander held after an ace in game five and stood powerless on the return in the one that followed, secured by Shapovalov with a volley winner at the net.

A left-hander secured another break in game seven when Zverev netted a volley, opening a 5-2 gap and sealing the opener on serve with a backhand winner for 6-2 after 35 minutes. The German couldn't stop the rival's aggression, suffering another break at the beginning of the second set and falling further behind. Denis held at love in game two and forged a 3-0 lead following back-to-back double faults from a frustrated German. The Canadian fended off two break chances in game four with service winners, closing it with another and taking a massive step towards the finish line. Flying over the court, Denis fired four winners in game six to extend the advantage, serving for the victory at 5-2. The younger opponent placed four winners in that eighth game to seal the deal in style and secure the competition's second top-10 victory. 

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