The years follow each other without looking alike. After 2017 and 2019, when he left Marseille in the first round, Denis Shapovalov, seeded n°4, qualified for the quarter-finals on Thursday. The Canadian defeated Marin Cilic, former world number 3, 6/4 4/6 6/2, in 1h59.
After winning the first set 6/4, Denis Shapovalov nearly broke the tie at the start of the second set, leading 0-40 on Marin Cilic's serve, but Cilic was able to hold on to his serve. The Croatian, who was a finalist in Marseille in 2011 and 2016, then took the lead to finally equalise at one set to one.
3rd participation for Shapovalov
It was then that Denis Shapovalov took charge: a white game at the start of the third set on Cilic's serve. The hardest part was done for the left-hander and his one-handed backhand.
" It was close and I knew I had to raise my game in the third set if I wanted to beat himDenis Shapovalov explained. I came here in 2017 for the first time. I had a great reception and I love coming back. "
This victory came at the right time: Denis Shapovalov had lost his first three matches in a tournament. The Canadian had not won a match since Auckland in mid-January.
In the quarter-finals, Shapovalov will face Alexander Bublik (KAZ, 55th). The two players have never met.
