Denis Shapovalov's US Open run came to an end Friday as he was defeated by the fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in the third round.
A point in the match that many Shapovalov fans will point to wondering "what if?" occurred in the sixth game of the final set. Trailing 3-2, Shapovalov had a chance to break Anderson's serve. Shapovalov hit a ball that was ruled out of play by a line judge that was quickly corrected by the chair ump. A chorus of boo's ensued at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Shapovalov lost the re-do point, forcing another deuce. Anderson held on to win and took a two-game lead.
Shapovalov held serve for the remainder of the match, coming back from four match points in one game to hold. But he struggled to break all afternoon as Anderson was in position to hold serve for the remainder of the match.
Shapovalov(🎥Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/3fLjweoHsu
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) August 31, 2018
Anderson swept the match's final game by getting a service winner, forced forehand error, ace and forced backhand error off Shapovalov in that order.
"It was a battle out there, I gave it everything I have so there's nothing to regret from it," Shapovalov told reporters after the match.
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As for Shapovalov, he didn't break a single game in the three sets that he lost. He went 2-for-9 (22 percent) in break points. On the flip side, Anderson went 3-for-7 (43 percent) in break points in the match. While Shapovalov had nearly twice the amount of winners (59 to Anderson's 31), he had 10 more unforced errors (42 to 32) which played into his inability to break Anderson's serve.
Anderson looks to make it back to his second straight US Open final as he will next face Dominic Thiem in the fourth round on Sunday.