Denis Shapovalov reached his first Masters 1000 final at the end of 2019. The 20-year-old played well in Paris, advancing to the title clash and facing the four-time champion, Novak Djokovic. The Serb did not play at his best at the start of the event.
Denis thought he would have a chance against the legend, but Novak proved him wrong! The more experienced player earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and five minutes, lifting his fifth trophy at one of his favorite tournaments. Djokovic struggled against Corentin Moutet.
Struggling physically, the Serb denied two break points in the opening set before raising his level. Novak took down Kyle Edmund, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov en route to the title clash. He felt better as the week progresses and gave Shapovalov no chance.
𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐤 𝐃𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐜, 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗
Back to winning ways for Novak Djokovic, who gets his hands on Rolex Paris Masters title No.5 after defeating Denis Shapovalov in the final 👊#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/7F0LN2HMIh
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) October 21, 2024
Novak’s numbers against Denis
A year after losing the final to Karen Khachanov, Djokovic bounced back in Paris in 2019. He lifted his 34th Masters 1000 trophy and joined John McEnroe on 77 ATP titles. Novak added 1000 ATP points to his tally and reduced the deficit to Rafael Nadal in the ATP Race to just over 600 points.
Novak Djokovic & Denis Shapovalov, Paris Masters 2019© Stream screenshot
The Serb served at 71% and defended the first and second serve superbly. Djokovic dropped ten points in ten service games. He saved the only break point he faced and mounted the pressure on the young gun. Shapovalov could not follow those numbers.
He fired 11 aces and stood strong behind the first serve. However, the second let him down, taking three of 17 points and facing four break points. Novak provided a single break in each set, controlling the scoreboard and sailing over the top.
Novak Djokovic, Paris Masters 2019© Stream screenshot
Djokovic finished the duel with ten winners and seven unforced errors. He let Shapovalov dictate the pace, and the Canadian landed a 24-22 ratio. However, the younger player could not make a damage on the return or stay in touch until a tie break in at least one set.
Novak built the advantage in the quickest exchanges up to four strokes. He claimed six of eight most extended exchanges while Denis stayed in touch in the mid-range rallies. The Serb claimed 56% of the points behind the initial shot with a service winner!
It gave him the freedom to attack on the return and mount the pressure on the 20-year-old.
Denis Shapovalov, Paris Masters 2019© Stream screenshot
Djokovic makes a strong start
Denis made a slow start to the most important match of his career. Novak closed the first game of the duel with a service winner and made a push on the return in the next one. He drew the rival’s mistake for two break chances and seized the second after Shapovalov’s loose forehand.
The four-time champion secured the third game with a service winner, moving 3-0 in front after eight minutes. A left-hander got his name on the scoreboard with a service winner in game four. Djokovic mirrored that in the next one, providing a fine hold and moving 4-1 in front.
Novak Djokovic, Paris Masters 2019© Stream screenshot
Denis delivered a fine hold in the sixth game, firing a booming serve and reducing the deficit to 4-2. Novak grabbed the seventh game at 15 for 5-2, forcing his rival to serve to stay in the set. Shapovalov faced no issues in the eighth game, landing an ace and extending the battle.
Djokovic served for the opener at 5-3 and hit a service winner for three set points. The Serb converted the first with a serve & volley combo, landing four winners and forging a 6-3 lead after 28 minutes.
Novak seals the deal and lifts a trophy
Denis landed an ace on a break point at the beginning of the second set and fired another for a hold, avoiding an early setback. Novak leveled the score at 1-1 with an unreturned serve. Shapovalov served well after a break he suffered. He closed the third game with a forehand winner for 2-1.
Denis Shapovalov & Novak Djokovic, Paris Masters 2019© Stream screenshot
The Serb held at 15 for 2-2 and drew the rival’s mistake two games later, locking the result at 3-3. A left-hander faced issues in the seventh game. He sprayed a forehand error and faced two break points. Novak seized the first after the rival’s forehand error, moving a set and a break in front.
Djokovic missed a forehand in the eighth game and presented Shapovalov with his only break chance. The Serb saved it with a service winner and welcomed the Canadian’s backhand mistake for a hold and 5-3. Denis served to stay in the match in game nine.
He fired a booming serve, providing a fine hold and extending the duel. The young gun had one last chance to prolong his chances on the return at 4-5. However, the four-time champion created three match points with a service winner.
Novak held at love with a forehand winner, sealing the deal in style and lifting his fifth Paris Masters trophy.
Tennis World USA