Denis SHAPOVALOV (CAN) celebrates during Round 2 of the Australian Open on Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park in Melbourne on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Morgan Hancock/TENNIS AUSTRALIA
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov hit 29 aces on his way to the third round of the Australian Open with a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-2 win over South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo.
Shapovalov was made to fight for victory, eventually edging ahed in the deciding fifth set.
“I’ll probably sleep in the ice bath tonight,” he joked afterwards.
”It was a great match. I’m really happy to get the win today. I just fought through it.”
Kwon’s aggressive play won him the second and third sets as Shapovalov let two leads slip in the third.
In the fourth Shapovalov was a break point down early before he dragged himself back into the match.
He then won the last 10 games to seal victory over a tough opponent.
Next up will be 23rd seed Reilly Opelka.
“I’ll just try to make as many returns as possible and try to hold my serve,” Shapovalov said. “He’s a great guy and it’ll be a great match.”
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