Denis Shapovalov finally began play at the Miami Open presented by Itaú after his first-round match was rescheduled due to Wednesday's rainout. Unfortunately for the Canadian No. 3, he fell 7-5, 6-3 to Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday.
The Dutch No. 2 was clinical on break point, converting four of six including all three in the second set en route to the victory. When under pressure, van de Zandschulp was just as solid, losing serve just once on Shapovalov’s six break opportunities in the match.
The Canadian had the first bit of daylight, winning six points on the bounce from 1-1 to lead 1-2, love-30. However, van de Zandschulp went on a run of his own, conceding just one of the next eight points to hold the match’s first break points at 2-2, 15-40. The Richmond Hillian saved both, soon securing the hold, but he would later find himself under more pressure late in the opening set.
At 5-5, love-30, van de Zandschulp capped off the longest rally of the match with one of his 18 winners, grasping onto triple break point. Shapovalov couldn’t deal with the Dutch’s deep return as the world No. 65 then served out the opener in the ensuing game.
Looking for an early advantage in the second, the Canadian held three break points in van de Zandschulp’s opening service game, but the Dutch fought off Shapovalov’s push thanks in part to a pair of aces.
Van de Zandschulp then pulled away after preventing the loss of serve, converting on his next two break points to serve for the match at 5-2.
Shapovalov managed to stay alive, saving four match points before cutting into the deficit, but the Canuck was quickly broken back as van de Zandschulp took the match in just over 90 minutes.
Read also: State of the Road to the NBO - Chan in Charge of Men’s Standings
Liam Draxl will be the next Canadian on Court 3 later on Thursday. The Newmarket-native makes his Miami Open main-draw debut against world No. 111 Quentin Halys.
[Q] Liam Draxl (CAN) vs Quentin Halys (FRA)
Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
