Shapovalov wins rough 5-setter in Davis Cup tie

By
Alex Boyden
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Denis Shapovalov had to dig deep against the world no.157 Yuki Bhambri in the Davis Cup playoff against India. 

Even if Yuki is not in the top100,  he is occasionally able to upset top players. For example, this year he has already won the scalp of Gael Monfils and Guido Pella in Washington before losing to the US Open runner-up Kevin Anderson in 3 sets.

The match

Denis started extremely well after he conquered the first 2 sets, but things began to go sideway when he wasted a match point in the 3rd set. The Indian got back in style to bring the affair to the decider, but eventually, Denis got it right after he played an extremely solid 5th set. The final score was 7-6 (2) 6-4 6-7 (6) 4-6 6-1 and the contest lasted 3 hours and 52 minutes.

Happy I was able to regroup. SHAPOVALOV

Denis was well aware he didn’t play his best tennis, but he was extremely happy for being able to square the things up. The Canadian commented

“It’s my first five-set match, for sure the longest I have been on the court. It was a lot of tennis and a lot of ups and downs. I was able to regroup and start a new fresh page in the fifth and was able to play at a really high level at the end.”

After this match, India and Canada are even as Ramanathan defeated Schnur 5-7 7-6 (4) 7-5 7-5.

Nestor and Pospisil are now supposed to give the lead to the Canadian team in the upcoming doubles.