Japan Open 2018: Shapovalov advances to semifinal, Raonic ousted

Rudi Schuller

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Japan Open 2018: Shapovalov advances to semifinal, Raonic ousted image

Canadian tennis fans just missed out on another Denis Shapovalov-Milos Raonic meeting.

Shapovalov was victorious in his 2018 Japan Open quarterfinal match on Tuesday, but Raonic's two-set loss to Daniil Medvedev prevented an all-Canadian showdown in the semifinal round.

Facing Jan-Lennard Struff, Shapovalov needed three sets to defeat the German. The 19-year-old dropped the first set 6-4 before requiring a tiebreak to claim the second set, needing to save match point before smashing an ace to force a defining set.

In total, Shapovalov had 16 aces and won 13 points at the net as he put on a show in the comeback victory.

In the end, Shapovalov prevailed 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to advance to his fourth career semifinal on the ATP Tour. 

"I think I did a really good job of turning the match around today," Shapovalov said after the match. "Obviously it was tough. I think the first two sets, he really outplayed me, so I'm happy to come out of that."

"It's another opportunity for me to try to make my first final at an ATP event," Shapovalov said. "But honestly, like I always do, I take it one match at a time. I'm very happy to escape today and I have another tough match [Saturday]."

Raonic falters

Immediately following Shapovalov's victory, Raonic took the court for his first-ever meeting with 32nd-ranked Medvedev.

Raonic had been playing well in the lead-up to Tuesday's quarterfinal, with his trademark booming serve on display throughout the tournament. Against Medvedev, Raonic's serve was still fearsome as the 27-year-old hit 14 aces and won 87 percent of his first serve points.

However, Medvedev was able to keep pace with the Canadian, losing just 12 service points in a match that featured only one break point chance between the two players.

Ultimately, Medvedev proved better on the day, claiming a 7-6, 6-3 victory.

Medvedev advances to face Shapovalov in the semifinal round on Saturday. Shapovalov boasts a 2-0 record against the Russian.

Rudi Schuller