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Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov has emerged victorious at the ninth edition of the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo, securing his second title of the season and fourth of his career. The 26-year-old, who was the most consistent player throughout the week, defeated American Aleksandar Kovacevic in a thrilling final.
In a match that lasted just 75 minutes, “Shapo,” the tournament’s third seed, showcased dominant form against the seventh-seeded Kovacevic, winning 6-4, 6-2. This unique final featured two players known for their one-handed backhands, adding an extra layer of intrigue for tennis fans.
“The title means a lot; it’s always great to win a tournament,” Shapovalov stated after his victory. “It’s the second one, and it’s not easy to win two tournaments in one season. I’m very happy, and I hope I can continue like this with this momentum.”
A Commanding Performance
Early breaks in both sets marked Shapovalov’s path to victory in the final. He secured a crucial break in the very first game of the opening set, which proved to be the decisive factor in his 6-4 win. The Canadian repeated this strategy in the second set, breaking Kovacevic’s serve at the outset and extending his lead with another break in the seventh game, ultimately serving out the match at 6-2.
Throughout the week in Los Cabos, Shapovalov displayed exceptional tennis, with his powerful serve being a particular highlight. Kovacevic, also 26, proved to be a worthy opponent but was unable to find an answer to Shapovalov’s serving prowess. The American’s journey to the final included a grueling three-set semifinal win against top seed Andrey Rublev, which likely contributed to his wear and tear in the championship match.
Looking Ahead
With this impressive win, Shapovalov adds the Los Cabos ATP 250 title to his Dallas ATP 500 victory from early February. His career title count now stands at four, including Stockholm in 2019 and Belgrade in 2024.
The Canadian expressed his enjoyment of the tournament, saying, “I definitely want to come back, it’s a great tournament, where we stayed very close to the best hospitality of the year, everything is perfect. The organization is incredible; it is not easy after Wimbledon, and thanks to the fact that I lost the first round, I am here.”
On his way to the title, Shapovalov had a first-round bye and then overcame Govind Nanda, Tristan Schoolkate, Adam Walton, and finally, Aleksandar Kovacevic. This triumph earns Shapovalov 250 valuable points and 135,325 USD in prize money. As a result, he is set to climb to 28th in the PIF ATP Rankings.