(Belgrade) Canadian Denis Shapovalov is back in the winner’s circle.
Posted at 12:04 p.m.
Updated at 3:34 p.m.
Aged 25, Shapovalov beat Serbian Hamad Medjedovic in two sets of 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Belgrade Open on Saturday.
PHOTO DARKO VOJINOVIC, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Denis Shapovalov
This is Shapovalov’s second career title on the ATP circuit, after the one obtained at the Stockholm Open in 2019. He is the first Canadian to win an ATP level title this season.
His last appearance in the final of a tournament was in Vienna in 2022.
Shapovalov missed the second half of last season due to injury and has spent most of this year slowly returning to his high level of play.
“I had a good season. It feels good to be back on the pitch in good health, admitted Shapovalov. It takes time to climb the rankings, but a week like this will help me a lot. »
He qualified for the Belgrade Open and lost just one set on his way to lifting the trophy.
Shapovalov’s best results this season came at the ATP 500 caliber events in Washington and Basel, where he reached the quarterfinals.
Medjedovic was playing his very first career final on the ATP circuit.
The 21-year-old, who won the ATP Next Gen Finals title last year, finished 2024 with a 9-8 record on tour this season.
“It’s not easy to play against young players,” admitted Shapovalov. He served well and I tried to do my best to read his game. I was a little lucky to break him in the first set.
“I had a few lucky returns and kind of carried that momentum into the start of the second set. »
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