Roland Garros: Denis Shapovalov bests Matteo Arnaldi in four sets

Competing for the first time since the Madrid Masters, Denis Shapovalov has found the form in Paris. The Canadian survived a five-setter in the opening round and earned a more comfortable win in the second to reach the third round for the first time at Roland Garros. Denis met the young Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the second round and earned a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 triumph in two hours and 55 minutes. Shapovalov made the upper hand with his first serve, dropping 27 points in his games and facing only one break point. Arnaldi, who scored a win on his Major debut, converted it, but it was not enough to keep him safe in the sets he lost. Denis turned 42% of the return points into 16 break chances, seizing five and sealing the deal in under three hours for a place in the last 32. The Canadian hit 38 winners and unforced errors and controlled the pace to achieve his best result in Paris. Denis drew Matteo’s mistake in the encounter’s first game for an early break.

Denis Shapovalov defeated Matteo Arnaldi in the Roland Garros second round. 

The Italian denied a break point at 0-2 and three more in the fifth game to remain within one break deficit. Shapovalov clinched the sixth game with a service winner and cracked a forehand winner in the next one for a break at love and a 5-2 lead. Denis served for the opener in game eight and fired another unreturned serve for 6-2 in 37 minutes. Arnaldi denied break points at the start of the second set and earned his first and only break chance in the fourth game. The Italian seized it after the Canadian’s wayward forehand to open a 3-1 gap and gain a boost. Matteo survived a scare in the next one to cement the advantage and painted a backhand down the line winner in game seven for 5-2. Arnaldi served for the set in game nine and wrapped it up with a forehand winner to level the overall score after an hour and 26 minutes.

Shapovalov served well in the third set and challenged his rival to repeat that to stay in contention. Denis forced Matteo’s backhand error in the sixth game to grab a break and forge a 4-2 lead. The Canadian served for the set at 5-3 and held at love with a service winner to clinch the set and move closer to the finish line. Shapovalov controlled everything in his games in the fourth set and waited for break chances. He landed a forehand crosscourt winner in the fifth game to steal Arnaldi’s serve and move 3-2 in front. Denis confirmed the break with a fine hold in game six and stroke a forehand down the line winner two games later for 5-3. Matteo served to stay in the match at 3-5 played a loose forehand to get broken and propel Denis over the finish line.