Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario is off to the third round of the 2024 Miami Open on Sunday after a shocking second round upset on Saturday. Shapovalov, the 126th ranked player in the world, not only beat the 11th ranked player in the world and 10th seed in Miami, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, but clobbered him, 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes, in a match that spanned over two days because of a rain delay on Friday.
Shapovalov had great success when Tsitsipas was serving. Shapovalov had 18 break point opportunities, of which he broke Tsitsipas three times. Tsitsipas had zero break point opportunities overall.
Shapovalov has now beaten Tsitsipas three times in the past. Shapovalov’s three prior wins came in the first round of the 2018 Australian Open (6-1, 6-3, 7-6), the fourth round of Miami in 2019 (4-6, 6-3, 7-6), and the round robin of the 2020 ATP Cup (7-6, 7-6).
Shapovalov’s best grand slam result was reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2021. Tsitsipas has reached the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
On Sunday, Shapovalov plays Matteo Arnaldi of Italy, the 38th ranked player in the world. Shapovalov has played Arnaldi once in the past. Shapovalov beat Arnaldi 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the 2023 French Open.
In women’s action, Leylah Annie Fernandez of Montreal, Quebec, the 31st seed, faces the fifth seed Jessica Pegula of the United States in round three. Pegula and Fernandez have never faced each other. Fernandez, the 31st seed and 2021 United States Open finalist, beat Emiliana Arango of Colombia in the second round, 6-4, 6-2. Fernandez made the most of her opportunities as she broke Arango six times in six opportunities.
