Klizan Holds Nerve, Beats Shapovalov In St. Petersburg

Slovakian Martin Klizan, the 2012 champion, recovered from a set and 3-5 down to knock out seventh-seeded Canadian Denis Shapovalov 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and four minutes on Friday at the St. Petersburg Open.

Klizan, who beat second seed Fabio Fognini in the second round, is playing in his first ATP World Tour tournament since lifting his sixth crown at the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel (d. Istomin) on 4 August. The 29-year-old has a perfect 6-0 record in tour-level finals and now awaits the winner of sixth seed and defending champion Damir Dzumhur and former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.