It is no surprise that David Goffin and Denis Shapovalov find themselves in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Goffin has reached the last 16 of a fourth consecutive U.S. Open. Shapovalov is 4-for-4 in reaching at least the third round of this tournament, and he is now through to the fourth round for a second time.
It certainly wasn’t easy for the 21-year-old Canadian.
Against Taylor Fritz on Friday, Shapovalov trailed two sets to one and 5-2 in the fourth set before storming back for a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 victory. He preceded that with four-set wins over Sebastian Korda and Soonwoo Kwon.
Shapovalov’s reward is a second career contest against Goffin, and it will get night-session treatment in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday. Their only previous encounter came last fall at the 500-point event in Tokyo, where Goffin got the job done 7-6(5), 7-6(2).
The 10th-ranked Belgian has not had an easy draw in New York, but he has risen to the occasion in impressive fashion. Sandwiching a second-round defeat of Lloyd Harris, Goffin took down Cincinnati quarterfinalists Reilly Opelka (first round) and Filip Krajinovic (third round). Krajinovic had been especially on fire, but the No. 7 seed erased him 6-1, 7-6(5), 6-4 on Friday.
While Shapovalov is the shot-maker, he is also more erratic–off the backhand side, mostly–and more likely to break down given that he is also coming off a five-setter. Over the course of a best-of-five match, an in-form Goffin should be able to break down his younger opponent.
Pick: Goffin in 4
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Shapo is smarter and stronger than he was last year….he’s ready to win this match…in 4.
If Shapo stays focused on what’s happening on the court, then he can do it in 4.
Must keep unforced errors under control, otherwise it’s Goffin in 4.
Goffin will this match based on form and his games are against and offensive to Shapo.
I love Shapovalov style. I don’t know whether this type of tennis will make him win multiple titles, but it’s very spectacular. I also like Fritz, but he seems to be less of a fighter than Shapo. Still hope Fritz will become a top player.
Also, compared to Tsitsi, Shapo seems less arrogant and possesses a Rafa like attitude. Like it. Plus a very nice one handed backhand. Basically he’s a Fedal comb, but more aggressive. Should learn from Rafa to do less UE and he’ll be good.