American Taylor Fritz delivered a no-nonsense performance against Canada's Denis Shapovalov, securing a spot in the fourth round of the 2023 Miami Open.
The ninth-seeded Fritz showcased his remarkable composure and skill in a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 win over the 24th-seeded Shapovalov, who has seen a decline in form and rankings in recent times.
Shapovalov, once a rising star with a promising future, has experienced a rocky journey over the past few years. Despite remaining within the Top 20 from 2019 to 2022, the Canadian prodigy has struggled to make a significant impact on the biggest stages. His subpar performance in Miami only adds to his mounting woes as he'll likely face a further drop in the rankings.
Meanwhile, Fritz arrived at the Miami Open hungry for redemption after a disappointing quarterfinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells. Determined to make a statement, he began his campaign with a decisive victory against Emilio Nava in the second round.
During the highly anticipated clash with Shapovalov, Fritz kept his cool and maintained an unwavering focus. The American's precision was evident, converting the only break point opportunity in the first set's seventh game. This allowed him to take the lead, closing the set 6-4. While Shapovalov displayed impressive shot-making, his 10 unforced errors cost him dearly.
In the second set, Fritz demonstrated his unyielding dominance by seizing one of two break point chances. Once again, he mirrored his first set performance, securing the win with a 6-4 scoreline. Fritz's steadfast control and relentless pressure proved too much for the struggling Shapovalov.
Next on Fritz's Miami Open journey is a clash with seventh-seeded Holger Rune, who effortlessly dispatched Diego Schwartzman in his previous match.
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