Winston-Salem Open 2019: Denis Shapovalov downs Andrey Rublev in straight sets

Rudi Schuller

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Winston-Salem Open 2019: Denis Shapovalov downs Andrey Rublev in straight sets image

Andrey Rublev may have defeated Roger Federer last week, but he couldn't handle Denis Shapovalov on Friday.

Eight days after famously eliminating Federer in the Round of 16 of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, 21-year-old Rublev fell in straight sets to Shapovalov. The 20-year-old Canadian needed fewer than 90 minutes to take down his opponent in Friday's quarterfinal match of the Winston-Salem Open, defeating Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (4) to move on to the semifinal

Shapovalov enjoyed a 10-1 ace advantage over the Russian, committing just four double faults to Rublev's seven. The main difference in the match was break points: Shapovalov was able to break Rublev's serve twice while only being broken once.

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The Canadian jumped on his opponent early, building a 3-0 lead to start the match. Shapovalov used his trademark combination of powerful serves and athletic returns to overwhelm Rublev in the early going, forcing the Russian into an up-hill battle from the outset.

To his credit, Rublev tried — the World No. 47 took three of the next six games, but ultimately couldn't overcome the early deficit.

The second set was much more even, with the youngsters battling back and forth to open the frame. Each player successfully converted a break point early in the second set, further demonstrating the parity between the two. It would eventually come down to a tiebreak, with Shapovalov pulling away to claim the victory and improve his career record against Rublev to 2-1.

Next up for Shapovalov is a semifinal meeting with Hubert Hurkacz, who defeated Frances Tiafoe on Friday. 

Following Winston-Salem, Shapovalov will head to the U.S. Open to face countryman and good friend Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round for the second year in a row. Shapovalov won last year's match when Auger-Aliassime was forced to retire due to an elevated heartbeat, but Auger-Aliassime claimed the most recent meeting between the two Canadian phenoms in straight sets in May.

Rudi Schuller