Impressive Denis Shapovalov sweeps Jiri Lehecka in Belgrade

11/08/2024 02:09 PM

Denis Shapovalov is through to the title clash at the Belgrade Open following a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Jiri Lehecka. Denis passed the qualifying stage to find himself in the main draw in the Serbian capital. The Canadian The former top-10 player prevailed over Marton Fucsovics in the first round and presented his A-game in the next three matches to notch his seventh ATP final and the first since October 2022! Shapovalov will seek his second ATP title on Saturday against the young Serb, Hamad Medjedovic.

Shapovalov took charge against world no. 31 on an indoor court, dropping one point after landing in the first serve and facing no break points. Lehecka felt the pressure and cracked under it, dropping over half of the points in his games after a terrible performance behind the second serve. The Czech played against 11 break points and suffered four breaks, two in each set. A left-hander made a reliable start, creating three break points in the second game and converting the third after the rival's backhand error.

Denis grabbed the third game at love with a booming serve and delivered another fine hold two games later for 4-1. Lehecka struggled behind the initial shot in the sixth game, facing four break points and denying them to remain within one break deficit. Shapovalov left those chances behind and fired a forehand winner in the seventh game for another comfortable hold and a 5-2 lead. Jiri served to stay in the opener in game eight and faced three set points after a loose forehand. Denis seized the second with a forehand crosscourt winner, wrapping up the opener 6-2 in 34 minutes.

The Canadian produced four comfortable holds in the second set and challenged his rival to follow those numbers. Playing miles below his best, Lehecka netted a backhand slice in the second game, falling 2-0 behind and seeing writings on the wall. Firing from all cylinders, Denis broke his rival at love in the fourth game, extending the advantage and serving for the win at 5-1. A left-hander landed a service winner for three match points and landed a forehand winner on the first, sealing the deal in style and moving into his first final in over two years.