The Shape Of Things To Come: Denis Shapovalov!

prairiegirl

prairiegirl

Hall of Fame
Ironwood said:
The final was a big letdown after his play throughout the Masters. He looked like a deer caught in headlights on some points. Just didn't respond as he is likely capable of! But making the finals was not expected....so well done!
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Yes, I expect he was preparing to play Nadal, and all of his efforts were geared in that direction. Djokovic is a very different player, and he had a bit of time to prepare, but not much. Also, he's beaten Nadal, so he might have had the mindset he could do so again. Not Djokovic.
 
Marius_Hancu

Marius_Hancu

Talk Tennis Guru
Footwork adjustment paying off red-hot Shapovalov
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The 20-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., started working with coach Mikhail Youzhny last summer and the move paid quick dividends.

"He really made me change my footwork and start moving a lot more with smaller steps and much more actively," Shapovalov said Tuesday from Athens. "I feel like that just made such a big difference early on. At first it was a little bit tough for me in practices. I was getting tired quickly. But it really paid off quickly.

"I feel with that little adjustment I was able to just play a lot better and move a lot better on the court. It really helped me in those matches."

"From the first day I felt like he was really able to pick me up and really see my game," Shapovalov said. "He had a clear vision of how he sees me playing the game and how to coach me and how to work with me.

"I think he really clicked with me from the first day and the first practice. I think it's been very positive working with him."

The footwork change gave Shapovalov more time to prepare his shots, set up a plan of attack and follow through on court.

"I felt like I was able to do whatever I wanted with the ball a lot better," he said. "You know, control it, play it anywhere I wanted to. I feel like that's why I was able to play really well in Winston-Salem and at the (US) Open."
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Try to see his new footwork here: :cool:
Highlights Alexander Zverev vs Denis Shapovalov Paris Open 2019
 
prairiegirl

prairiegirl

Hall of Fame
Fritz - Shapovalov should be interesting. Denis has always had his number, but Fritz has really improved this year. As for Opelka v. Pospisil, that will be interesting too, even though, IMO, all Opelka has is his big serve. He's clunky and awkward out there, mostly due to his height.
 
Joseph_K

Joseph_K

Professional
Hopefully Pospisil's win over Opelka will take some of the pressure off Shapo as he prepares to take on Taylor Fritz. A win for Shapo would mean he wouldn't have to turn out for the deciding doubles match as well.
 
Joseph_K

Joseph_K

Professional
Some typically swashbuckling tennis and greater variety from Shapo as he defeats Taylor Fritz 7-6(6), 6-3 to give Canada an unassailable 2-0 lead over the USA, thereby taking the Canadian team into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Agonizing loss to AdM 5-7 in the third. A win would have sealed the tie and put O Canada in the SFs.

Now both Denis and Vasek have to regroup and play the fresh Peers/Thompson tandem.
 
Marius_Hancu

Marius_Hancu

Talk Tennis Guru
Davis Cup - FINAL

November 24

10:40
Felix Auger Aliassime
Roberto Bautista Agut

12:10
Rafael Nadal
Denis Shapovalov

13:40
Vasek Pospisil
Denis Shapovalov

Feliciano Lopez
Marcel Granollers
 
4

40L0VE

Semi-Pro
If Shaps can do this without the longer rest between singles and doubles he'd have had if he and Nadal played first then he goes right up in my estimation from lukewarm/not great to simply WOW. No argument.
 
prairiegirl

prairiegirl

Hall of Fame
Yes, Denis played a ton of tennis this week and acquitted himself marvelously. I'm very proud of our entire Canadian team. They were exceptional!
 
gogo

gogo

Hall of Fame
Sparlingo said:
i don't feel like Shapo got the respect he deserves after his effort in this tournament, I.m pissed.
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Agree. What a second set he played against world #1, after playing in both singles and doubles throughout the tournament.
But, what's more important than accolades/broad recognition, is that Shapo knows what he did, as does the rest of the team. I am very excited about his 2020 season. AND, Olympics are this summer!
 
M

Max G.

Legend
Yeah, it's been a great week for Shapovalov. Couldn't beat Nadal, that was too big of an ask, but put up a good fight.

Hope he keeps improving. He's got an off-season ahead to keep working on his game and his fitness - hopefully he keeps up the consistency he's shown the last few months and brings that into next year.
 
gogo

gogo

Hall of Fame
Sparlingo said:
It would be remiss of me if i didn't congratulate Nadal, which I have already done in the main match thread.
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Your pronouncement was a bit strong. ;)

But then again @TenS_Ace seems to be a fair weather fan. He goes where the wind is blowing. (I may have called that wrong.)

Shapo was beaten by world #1, nothing to be ashamed of. He held his head up high and never gave up.
 
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JohnnyMac Fan!

JohnnyMac Fan!

Hall of Fame
prairiegirl said:
Yes, I expect he was preparing to play Nadal, and all of his efforts were geared in that direction. Djokovic is a very different player, and he had a bit of time to prepare, but not much. Also, he's beaten Nadal, so he might have had the mindset he could do so again. Not Djokovic.
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He barely beat Nadal on 3 sets
 
Sparlingo

Sparlingo

Hall of Fame
High praise from Nada's coach:

This year Medvedev and Tsitsipas marked a difference. Tsitsipas was the one who evolved his game the most. Before we were playing calm against him, this year he surprised me in Australia for his game style, he takes the ball much earlier.

Alexander Zverev has not evolved a lot over the last two years, Dominic Thiem misses less than before... For me, Denis Shapovalov is the player with the biggest potential out of everyone. Rafa described him very well. He has things that are not coached, they are unborn, but I say it from outside.
 
prairiegirl

prairiegirl

Hall of Fame
Boy were they ever! There were some exchanges that were just incredible - power for power. These 2 will have some kind of rivalry going forward. But, one thing about Tsitsipas - I still think he's too thin for his height. A poor weight-height ratio can lead to severe bone and joint problems in the future. I think Medvedev is at risk too. But, Denis seems to have a very good ratio and hopefully, he'll take good care of himself.
 
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