Jannik Sinner proved too much for Denis Shapovalov on Sunday. The Canadian No. 3 was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by the world No. 2 in the BNP Paribas Open third round.
Following big wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 29 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Shapovalov couldn’t earn his second-career win over Sinner. The 26-year-old from Richmond Hill ran into some unforced-error trouble, finishing with 25, and committed seven double faults in the match, seven of them came in games where he was broken.
Neither player won a point on their delivery in each of their opening service games, getting a combined one first serve in play as the two traded breaks to start.
Both players’ serve settled into the match with Sinner firing two aces in the fifth game for the love hold and 3-2 lead. Shapovalov also cruised to a hold in the ensuing game, but his double-fault tally slowly grew, recording three in as many service games.
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At 3-4, the Canadian committed three more double faults, leading to a couple of break opportunities for Sinner. Shapovalov saved one at 30-40 but the Italian later extended his lead with the break.
Sinner jumped out to 40-love when serving for the opener at 5-3. Shapovalov kept the set alive for a couple rallies thanks to a pair of winners before the world No. 2 sealed the first.
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The Canuck was back under pressure in the opening game of the second set, saving two break points but not a third. Then, at 3-2, Sinner found another gear, winning 12 points on the fly to move onto the last 16 in Indian Wells.
There’s still a guarantee that a Canadian man will feature in the fourth round as Félix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo clash in round three later Sunday.
[9] Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs Gabriel Diallo (CAN)
Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
