Shapovalov Shines Under The Lights, Goffin Hangs Tough At US Open

Denis Shapovalov appeared in trouble on Louis Armstrong Stadium Wednesday evening. But the Canadian got his night train rolling to reverse course and reach the third round of the US Open.

Shapovalov defeated Soonwoo Kwon 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the Round of 32 at Flushing Meadows for the fourth time in his four appearances. The dynamic lefty also needed four sets in his first-round victory against #NextGenATP American Sebastian Korda.

Kwon, a solid baseliner from South Korea, led 4-2 in the third set. But Shapovalov immediately earned a “boomerang break” to get back on serve, roaring “C’mon! Let’s go!” when Kwon missed a forehand long. The 12th seed then broke in his next return game with a laser-like backhand passing shot down the line and he never looked back.

Shapovalov won six consecutive games to take control of the match and avoid an upset against Kwon, who ousted Milos Raonic at this year’s New York Open. Although Kwon played a solid match, Shapovalov’s aggression proved too much to overcome. The Canadian crushed 62 winners to 19 for Kwon.

The 21-year-old will next meet American Taylor Fritz, who beat former World No. 6 Gilles Simon 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. The 19th seed, who hit 16 aces against Simon, will try to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time.

Shapovalov leads the pair’s ATP Head2Head series 2-0. Both men are alumni of the Next Gen ATP Finals.

^{Photo Credit: Peter Staples/USTA}
David Goffin shook off Lloyd Harris on Wednesday to book a place in the US Open third round. In a match that featured 10 breaks of serve, the seventh seed battled Harris and humid conditions in a 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over two hours and 53 minutes.

Goffin recovered from 3/5 down in the first set tie-break, prior to five straight service breaks at the start of the second set. The Belgian won 16 out of 22 points from 1-1 in the third set to seize the momentum and broke in the ninth game of the fourth set.

The World No. 10, who hit 29 winners including 12 aces, will aim to improve upon 43 per cent of his second-serve points won in his next match against No. 26 seed Filip Krajinovic, who dominated Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-1, 6-3.

Goffin is now one victory away from reaching the US Open fourth round for a fourth successive year. Last week, the 29-year-old advanced to the third round at the Western & Southern Open (l. to Struff).