Denis Shapovalov Upsets Defending Semifinalist Roberto Bautista Agut to Make Wimbledon Championships Quarterfinal Debut

After outclassing Andy Murray in the last round, the 22-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov was ready to up his competition. Consequently, he battled past Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the Wimbledon Championships 2021 quarterfinals. He won the match with a comfortable scoreline: 6-1, 6-3, 7-5.

Despite the straightforward outcome, the duo put on a decent show for the fans present in Court 3 at All England Club. Along with some classic point-making from both ends, the encounter also saw heavy firing from the left-handed Canadian. Thus, other remaining candidates would undoubtedly start worrying about Shapovalov based on this performance.

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Denis Shapovalov takes charge over Roberto Bautista Agut from Set 1

Coming from enough rest on Middle Sunday, both Denis and Roberto seemed fresh as they stepped out on the court. However, once the Spaniard initiated the first game, the Canadian came all over him. Unable to stop his opponent from hitting back freely, Roberto found himself trailing from the first game itself.

Following that, the 33-year-old Spaniard tried to recover his loss but missed three break point opportunities. Deepening the wound, Roberto failed to hold his serve again and found himself 3-0 behind in the first set. Afterward, Shapovalov gave him no chance to make a comeback; instead, he broke the Spaniard again at 5-1, taking the opening set in 34 minutes.

Therefore, at the start of the second set, it began clear that the 2019 Wimbledon semifinalist had to stay in the match. Accordingly, Bautista Agut somehow managed to hold his service game against the resilient Shapovalov. In fact, they both ran toe-to-toe until 3-3 in the second set.

At 4-3, the Spaniard again found a dip in his level, and his opponent did not let the opportunity pass. Converting the first break of the second set, Shapovalov was a service hold away from 2 sets to love lead. Unsurprisingly, the confident Canadian brought his A-game in front to confirm the second set for himself. This time, the Canadian required nine more minutes than the previous one to close the set. The score: 6-1, 6-3.

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Shapovalov vs. Bautista Agut Set 3: Wimbledon Championships 2021 R4

Until now, the young Canadian gave no extra room to his opponent to settle down into the match. However, with one hour of match time behind, fans expected the Spaniard to fight back. Correspondingly, the pair took off a couple of service games from one another to find themselves 2-2 in the third set. With resistance to let the other dominate, they produced some of the finest tennis of the seven days of the Championships.

For a change, the Spaniard came first in holding the service game in the third set. However, he could not hold back Shapovalov, who played a variety of shots without any hesitation. Subsequently, leveling games at 5-5, they stretched the set to seven games. But in the end, the Canadian again came at the top of the veteran professional, finding himself one game away from the QFs in Wimbledon.

At 6-5, Shapovalov held his serve and closed the comfortable match with 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 as the final score. He will next face Russian Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals. How far will this dream run go for the young Canadian at the Wimbledon Championships 2021?

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