Canadian tennis star, Denis Shapovalov, has commenced his ATP Acapulco campaign on a high note. Fresh off his triumph at the Dallas ATP 500, he looks poised to reclaim a spot in the top-30 rankings, edging closer to this goal with every match. His opening round at Acapulco saw him pitted against Nishesh Basavareddy, a match he comfortably clinched with a score of 7-5, 6-2 in under two hours.
Basavareddy, a young American tennis player, was no pushover. He had previously shown his mettle by taking a set from the world-renowned Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open. Against Shapovalov, Basavareddy demonstrated his potential once again, but faltered in sealing the first set, losing nine of the last 11 games.
Shapovalov’s performance was not without its flaws. His service game was shaky, with a disappointing 46% first serve percentage and a tally of nine double faults. He faced a total of five break points, three of which he managed to save. Despite these setbacks, he turned the tide by capitalising on half of the return points, creating 12 break opportunities and breaking Basavareddy’s serve five times.
The competitors’ strokes were a spectacle, with Shapovalov striking 31 winners and committing 28 unforced errors. He struggled from the baseline, with a 13-26 ratio, but managed to maintain the upper hand throughout the match. Basavareddy had his moments too, including a drop shot winner in the fifth game that helped him regain some footing.
The match had its share of drama and turning points. In the tenth game, while serving for the set, Basavareddy saved a break point with a skillful net winner and even generated a set point. However, Shapovalov fought back, saving the set point with a powerful forehand down the line and capitalising on the second break point to level the scores.
After a series of unforced errors from Basavareddy, Shapovalov seized his set points and claimed the first set 7-5 in just under an hour. He maintained his momentum into the second set, serving well and keeping the pressure on Basavareddy.
The American youngster started the second set on the back foot, losing his serve early due to a poorly executed drop shot. Despite facing five break points in the fourth game, he managed to save them all and stay within a break’s distance.
But Shapovalov was relentless. He kept his opponent at bay with aces in the fifth and seventh games. When Basavareddy was serving to stay in the match at 2-5, he faced match points and eventually succumbed to Shapovalov’s aggressive play.
Shapovalov sealed his victory with a crosscourt forehand winner, extending his winning streak even further. His performance in Acapulco thus far is indicative of his determination to secure another ATP 500 title and climb back into the top-30 rankings.