Denis Shapovalov is now one-win away from defending his Los Cabos title.
The 27-year-old from Richmond Hill defeated Cameron Norrie for the first time in three meetings, edging by the Brit 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the Mifel Tennis Open semifinals on Saturday.
Shapovalov managed to break Norrie three times in the contest, all coming in his opening return game of each set. The Canadian No. 2 lost serve twice, both in the second, as the match needed a decider. The defending champion conceded just three points behind his first delivery in the final set en route to a place in the title match.
Shapovalov quickly found his groove on serve after going down love-30 in the opening game. The Canuck won the next eight service points, mixing in a break in the second game, to gain an early 3-0 advantage.
The former world No. 10 soon felt the pressure as Norrie made a push to equalize. Shapovalov had to save two break points in the fifth game then dig himself out of a 4-2, 15-40, hole, but the 27-year-old only dropped one service point from that point on as he served out the opener, the first set Shapovalov has won over the Brit.
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After both players traded breaks to begin the second, Norrie needed 22 minutes to string together three-straight holds, compared to Shapovalov who spent half the time to do so and bring the set to 4-4. However, while the British No. 1 was able to hold the rest of the way, Shapovalov was broken at 5-6, 30-40, as Norrie fired one of his 16 winners to force a decisive set.
Undeterred, the Canadian broke right out of the gates in the third and consolidated to lead 2-0. Shapovalov won eight service points on the bounce, firing two aces over that span, to bring him within a couple holds of the final at 4-2. Serving for the match in the tenth game, the Richmond Hillian outlasted Norrie in a few long rallies to set up match point, where his serve was left unreturned for the win.
Only Arthur Gea stands in the way of Shapovalov’s title defence, with the two set to play on Saturday night.
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Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
