Denis Shapovalov played really well in Montpellier, but he couldn't translate that form to the 2024 Marseille Open.
Last week in Montpellier, the Canadian started his journey at the ATP 250 tournament with an almost perfect win over Hugo Gaston. One week later, Shapovalov was once again drawn against Hugo Gaston, this time in Marseille.
The court was different, the conditions were different, and surprisingly, the result was different too. It was the Canadian who had the first three break points in the opening set, but after he didn't use his chances the Frenchman didn't need a second invitation.
Gaston built a 4-2 lead and he even had two break points to go into a 5-2 lead, but he couldn't use them. As a result, Shapovalov was able to break back and when leading 5-4, he even had a 30-0 lead on his opponent's set.
Yet, the French player stepped up his game, winning 12 of the following rallies to hold his serve and break the Canadian again, winning the opening set of the match 7-5.
Shapovalov proved to be much more competitive in the second set, with a performance that resembled the Montpellier showing. This time around, the broke Gaston's serve twice and easily won the set 6-1, despite facing multiple break points.
In the third set, the former world no. 10 started well again, breaking the home crowd favourite, but his advantage wouldn't last. The Frenchman broke again, and not just that.
Gaston won 16 of the last 18 rallies, and like in the first set, this streak ensured him that he won the set, and ultimately the match, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 to set up a second-round match with the fellow compatriot and the fourth-seeded Ugo Humbert, who will be looking to build some solid form on the home soil.
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