Denis Shapovalov claimed his first ATP title in Stockholm 2019. The Canadian had to wait five years to lift the second ATP trophy, conquering the ATP 250 event in Belgrade with a 6-4, 6-4 win over the young Serb, Hamad Medjedovic. Shapovalov qualified for the main draw and ousted five rivals to lift a desired trophy and add more points to his tally, wrapping up the season inside the top-60. Novak Djokovic’s brother, Djordje, organized the tournament, and the greatest player of all time was in the Serbian capital to support him after withdrawing from the ATP Finals. Novak presented the trophy to Denis, probably for the first time in his career, and he enjoyed his role in front of the partisan crowd.
Denis Shapovalov, Belgrade 2024© Stream screenshot
Shapovalov outplays Medjedovic
Denis and Hamad played a fast-paced match with short exchanges and many service winners, wrapping up the duel in 74 minutes. The Canadian fired 13 aces and dropped 13 points in ten service games, fending off two break points while serving for the opener and keeping the pressure on the other side. Medjedovic served at 75%, but it did not help him. The young Serb dropped 38% of the points behind the initial shot and suffered two breaks from as many opportunities presented to his opponent. Shapovalov clinched back-to-back breaks in the closing stages of the opener and the beginning of the second set, building the advantage and bringing the victory home.
Hamad Medjedovic, Belgrade 2024© Stream screenshot
Denis secures the first set with a late break
Both players served well early on, with the Canadian landing a powerful serve in the sixth game for 3-3 in 15 minutes. Medjedovic kept his composure in the seventh game, landing a smash winner and holding after a deuce for a 4-3 lead. A left-hander secured the next game with a forehand crosscourt winner and made a push on the return at 4-4. Hamad played a loose drop shot and faced a break point. The young gun sent a routine forehand long, losing serve and falling 5-4 behind. Serving for the set in game ten, Shapovalov hit a double fault and offered his rival two break points. He denied them with service winners and landed another for 6-4 after 32 minutes and a boost.
Novak Djokovic, Belgrade 2024© Stream screenshot
Shapovalov grabs an early break in the second set and moves over the top
The home player lost the ground and played his worst game at the beginning of the second set. Medjedovic sprayed errors and dropped serve at love after a costly double fault. Shapovalov confirmed the break with a service winner in game two and forced the rival’s mistake two games later for a 3-1 advantage. A left-hander secured the sixth game with a forced error and painted an ace at 4-3 to produce another fine hold and keep the pressure on the other side. Hamad served to stay in the match at 3-5 and faced three deuces. The young gun avoided break points and cracked a backhand crosscourt winner for a hold, extending the battle and hoping for one last push on the return. Instead, Denis held at love at 5-4 with a service winner, moving over the top and celebrating his second ATP title.