Stockholm Open 2019: Denis Shapovalov wins first ATP Tour title after straight-sets victory over Filip Krajinovic

Rudi Schuller

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Stockholm Open 2019: Denis Shapovalov wins first ATP Tour title after straight-sets victory over Filip Krajinovic image

First final, first tournament victory for Denis Shapovalov.

After finally breaking through in an ATP Tour semifinal on Saturday, Shapovalov punctuated his dominant run at the 2019 Stockholm Open by defeating world No. 60 Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday and claiming the first championship of his young career.

Canada's Shapovalov was commanding throughout the week in Stockholm, not dropping a single set and winning 110 of 119 first-serve points en route to his maiden championship.

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Shapovalov's trademark booming serve was on full display to start Sunday's match, as he smashed nine aces in the first set alone. To Krajinovic's credit, he kept pace with the Canadian through the first four games of the match, but Shapovalov's successful break-point conversion at 3-1 was the difference as the 20-year-old kept things clean on his end — not allowing any break point opportunities for the Serbian in the opening frame — to march to the first-set victory.

Of course, Shapovalov added a bit of flair to his dominant first-set display.

Facing defeat, Krajinovic put up more of a fight in the second set. The 27-year-old hit his lone ace of the match in the final frame and had zero double-faults as he attempted to claw back into the match. Shapovalov, though, was equal to the increased pressure, and the Canadian won 100 percent of his first serves to keep Krajinovic on the back foot.

The players traded games through the 4-4 mark of the second set before the Canadian converted a break point that ultimately decided the match as it allowed Shapovalov to serve for the championship.

Shapovalov did just that as he completed his first tournament as the last man standing.

The title victory caps off a week in which Shapovalov also qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals, which showcases the top 21-and-under players in the world.

Rudi Schuller