World no. 54 Denis Shapovalov is through to his eighth ATP final in Dallas. The Canadian ousted the 3rd seed Tommy Paul 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 34 minutes and earned a chance to fight for his third ATP title.
Shapovalov ousted two top-10 players en route to the title clash. He achieved that for the third time in a career at a single tournament, the first since the 2020 ATP Cup. The lower-ranked player clinched the opener with a late break.
He grabbed another return game in set number two to move over the top and remain on the title course.
The final is calling 📞@denis_shapo defeats defending champion Paul 7-5 6-3 & will face Ruud for the title!#DALOpen pic.twitter.com/zmF6axkRaI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 9, 2025
Denis claimed 11 points more and prevailed in the pivotal moments. The Canadian played better behind the first serve and denied all three break points. He generated three break chances and converted one in each set to seal the deal and move over the top.
Shapovalov fired 23 service winners and left his rival on ten. He was more aggressive, firing 28 winners and 30 unforced errors while claiming 13 points at the net. Denis missed a forehand in the first game of the duel and faced a break point.
Denis Shapovalov & Tommy Paul, Dallas 2025© Stream screenshot
He denied it with a forehand down the line winner and avoided an early setback. They served well in the upcoming games. The Canadian closed the ninth game with an ace, and the American responded with a forehand winner in the next one for more drama.
A left-hander secured the 11th game at love and made a push on the return in the next one. Shapovalov fired a backhand down the line winner for a set point and drew the rival’s mistake for a break and 7-5 after 43 minutes. Denis held after a deuce at the beginning of the second set.
Denis Shapovalov, Dallas 2025© Stream screenshot
He faced issues at 2-2 and offered his rival two break chances. Shapovalov saved them in style and held to keep his initial shot intact. Paul reached two deuces on the return at 3-3. However, he could not make an extra push and create break chances.
Denis attacked on the return in the eighth game and landed a beautiful volley for two break chances. He cracked a booming backhand down the line winner on the second to move 5-3 in front and closer to the finish line. The Canadian served for the win in game nine.
He landed a volley winner for a match point and squandered it after a wayward backhand. A left-hander created the second match point with a forehand down the line winner and seized it with a volley winner for a place in the title clash.
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