Denis Shapovalov vs. Novak Djokovic: Canadian loses in first Masters 1000 final appearance

Jace Mallory

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Denis Shapovalov vs. Novak Djokovic: Canadian loses in first Masters 1000 final appearance image

Denis Shapovalov's hot streak came to a simmering stop against the World No. 1 — Novak Djokovic — 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Rolex Paris Masters, his first appearance in a Masters 1000 final.

Canada's highest-ranked ATP player has been playing some of the best tennis of his young career. However, the Serbian proved to be a different animal for the young Canadian.

Djokovic held a 3-0 head-to-head record over Shapovalov entering the match with wins at the China Open last month, a win in Rome in 2019 and a four-setter at the Australian Open in January. Shapovalov does have one win against the Serbian in a Wimbledon warm-up exhibition.

In Paris, it was a matter of serve. While both players held serve well, and the 20-year-old bested the 32-year-old in aces by a whopping 11-2, it was the inability to return serve that bit Shapovalov's bid for an upset. The youngster was only afforded a single break-point opportunity — one in which he could not convert.

His youth showed a number of times in the short match, once when he threw his racket to the ground in the first set and then repeatedly vocalizing his frustration to himself. Shapovalov has always been quite a fiery competitor, but with the calm, cool and collected veteran across the court, it seemed as though Djokovic strategically used Shapovalov's frustration against him.

Earlier in the tournament, Shapovalov defeated No. 6 Alexander Zverev in the Round of 16 of the ATP Paris Masters and knocked off Gael Monfils in the quarterfinals. Those two big wins came after he advanced to the semifinals in the Winston-Salem and Chengdu Opens and won his first title at the Stockholm Open in October .

The Richmond Hill, Ontario, native was set to play in the Paris Masters semifinals against No. 2 Rafael Nadal on Saturday, one of the sport's "Big Three" along with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer; however, Nadal withdrew just moments before the match was scheduled to start due to injury. He reportedly suffered an abdominal injury while warming up earlier in the day.

Djokovic, the No. 1 player in the world defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the first semifinal, 7-6(5), 6-4.

(1) Novak Djokovic def. (28) Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4

Djokovic wins 6-4

Shapovalov's record against Djokovic drops to 0-4. The youngster was unable to put a cap on the Serbian's serve despite having a strong outing on his own services.

Djokovic leads 5-4

With his back against the wall, Shapovalov gets aggressive, taking the first point at the net. he follows that up with yet another cross-court ace and another powerful serve that Djokovic sails long. Forced to run around the court a bit, Shapo's 40-love lead drops to 40-15 before taking the game.

Shapovalov will need his first break of the match to stay alive in this one. Djokovic will serve for the match and the championship.

Djokovic leads 5-3

Shapovalov gets his first break opportunity but cannot convert on a missed return then misses a long cross-court return just outside the bottom-right corner of the court to give Djokovic the advantage. One of the lengthier rallies of the match does not go the Canadian's way.

Djokovic leads 4-3

If you were holding your breath for the first break, you may now breathe. If you are on Team Shapovalov, you might be breathing pretty heavily.

Shapo loses a critical challenge but gets the point back on a Djokovic unforced error. The 20-year-old gets an ace taken off the board thanks to a Djokovic challenge. The first break of the second set comes at a crucial time.

The Serbian will now serve to double his lead in the set.

Set tied 3-3

We sincerely hope you aren't holding your breath for a break, because it still hasn't happened. Djokovic wins the game easily.

Shapovalov leads 3-2

Another ace, another win. The Canadian kid bests Djokovic and we are still awaiting the first break of the second set.

Set tied 2-2

Djokovic sailed to a 40-love lead, lost just a single service and tied things up once again.

Shapovalov leads 2-1

Clearly the best part of Shapovalov's game today is his serve; he leads Djokovic in aces 7-2, keeping him in this match. He adds another in game three, taking the lead back in the second set.

Set tied 1-1

After getting blown past by Djok's serves early in the game, Shapo managed to put a few points on the board, including an impressive cross-court shot to bring the game to 40-30, but lost the game on the next serve.

Shapovalov leads 1-0

Shapovalov sheds off a break-point opportunity for Djokovic with a far-side ace to force deuce. Two points later and he takes the early lead in set two — with another ace.

First set: Djokovic wins 6-3

Djokovic wins 6-3

The Canadian's return woes continue — he fails to get a point in the final game of the first set.

Djokovic leads 5-3

Shapovalov lives to see another game in this opening set. He is starting to control his serve more so than earlier in the match, making it hard on Djokovic to return, acing him to take the game.

Djokovic leads 5-2

Clearly frustrated, Shapo slams his racket down, not wanting to let the first set slip away any further. He would, however, fail to slow down the World No. 1.

Djokovic leads 4-2

Shapovalov, starting to feel the pressure in the first set, strings together a few strong serves and takes his second game.

Djokovic leads 4-1

A pattern is developing in Paris: Djokovic doesn't surrender many points on his serve.

Djokovic leads 3-1

Shapo jumps out to a 30-love lead only to have it squandered. Shapo then Djok alternate points and we have our first deuce of the match. The 20-year-old takes the advantage and does not let the opportunity slip through his fingers.

Djokovic leads 3-0

Djokovic holds serve, Shapo struggling to keep up early in this finale. The first three games took a combined eight minutes — sheesh. Time to change sides on Center Court.

Djokovic leads 2-0

It was a battle but Shapovalov couldn't hold his first service — digging an early hole against the top player in the world.

Djokovic leads 1-0

The Serbian's serve is too much to handle, taking the first game of the match without surrendering a single point. Now, it's the kid's turn.

Pregame

9:08 p.m. The Joker arrives shortly thereafter.

9:05 p.m. Denis Shapovalov takes the court!

8:39 p.m. Novak Djokovic hits the court pregame, working on his backhand.

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Jace Mallory