Denis Shapovalov saves six set points en route to San Diego Open victory

Denis Shapovalov found a way past Taylor Fritz at the San Diego Open despite being tasked with saving six set points in the contest.

The 22-year-old, who travelled straight to San Diego after featuring for Team World at the Laver Cup, beat the American star 7-6(7), 6-2 to book a quarter-final spot.

Fritz will be left to rue his missed opportunities in the first set after earning two set points at 6-5 before leading the tie-break 6-3.

Following the contest, the Canadian was delighted to have won the match and was particularly content with his first set heroics.

“I’m really happy to get the win, obviously. The first set was super, super tough for me and to come back like that was amazing,” Shapovalov said in his on-court interview.

“Definitely happy to be in San Diego, [it is] my first time. It’s such an amazing city.”

Despite Fritz having multiple opportunities to take the lead, Shapovalov took his first chance with a short forehand passing shot around the American.

“When you have a tough set, it obviously helps a lot to win that set. Then you try to keep that momentum going. Obviously when you lose a tough one like that, your momentum drops. It’s very important to keep the gas pedal on,” said Shapovalov.

“I definitely started the second set super well and just carried it.”

The 22-year-old will now face British star and fellow left-hander Cameron Norrie, who dispatched his compatriot Dan Evans in straight sets in the last 16.