Shapovalov fighting spirit not good enough to stop Sonego as Italy leads Canada
ATP
Denis Shapovalov lost Canada's first singles match in the semi-finals of the 2022 Davis Cup Finals against Lorenzo Sonego.
In both of his singles matches at this year's Davis Cup Finals, the 23-year-old Canadian showed his incredible fighting spirit but failed on both occasions. Two days ago, Shapovalov took on Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany in the first match of Canada's tie against Germany.
He lost in the third-set tie-break, losing the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(2). However, later, Shapovalov returned to the court in doubles with Vasek Pospisil and sent Canada to the semi-finals, beating Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
In the first match of the semi-final tie against Italy, Shapovalov took on Lorenzo Sonego, and he started in the best possible way. The Canadian won the first nine points of the match and was quickly 2-0 up.
However, he then lost three consecutive games, and after numerous break point chances on both sides, the set had to be decided in a tie-break. The Italian proved to be better as he won it 7-4 and got an important lead.
In the second set, both players showed their solid serve as Shapovalov was the only player to have break points. It was in the tenth game when he had a chance to end the set on five occasions, but he couldn't do it. Yet, that wasn't a problem as he won the second set in a tie-break, 7-5.
In the third set, the Canadian had many chances to break his opponent. Unfortunately for him and his country, Sonego proved to be better and won the match 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-4 in three hours and 15 minutes.
In the second singles match, Felix Auger-Aliassime will play against Lorenzo Musetti as Canada needs a victory in order to get a chance to play a deciding doubles match.
