Shapovalov ousts Raonic to set up clash against Edmund in Madrid Quarterfinals
Denis Shapovalov, the 19-year-old ATP rising star, saw off compatriot Milos Raonic in straight sets during the third round of Mutua Madrid Open. He defeated his elder statesman 6-4, 6-4 in 82 minutes to set up a clash against Edmund in the quarterfinals of the Spanish capital.
Arantxa Sanchez Stadium witnessed Shapovalov's wide array of shots as he fired down 28 winners to 17 unforced errors in comparison with Raonic’s 14 winners and 14 unforced errors.
After taking the first set comfortably, Shapovalov created two break point opportunities in the 5th game when he went up 40-15 but failed to convert either of them as Raonic fought back with a strong service game. However, he broke Raonic's serve in the 7th game to go up 4-3 after Raonic hit a wide forehand. He closed out the match with two comfortable service holds to book his place in the quarterfinals.
Next up for him is British No. 1 Kyle Edmund, who toppled former World no. 1 Novak Djokovic in the second round and made quick work of World number 10, David Goffin in the third round. Edmund, who currently sits at 24 in world rankings, will enter the top 20 after today’s win over Goffin. This will be Edmund’s maiden appearance in a Masters 1000 event quarterfinals.
In another match, world number 8 Kevin Anderson defeated German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6(7). After a comfortable first set, Anderson looked set for an easy victory when he broke the German in the 9th game of the second set to lead his way up 5-4.
However, Kohlschreiber broke right back into the match with a brilliant baseline game and eventually forced a decider. Kohlschreiber held 2 set points in the decider but wasn’t able to convert either and eventually bowed out of the tournament as Anderson won 5 of the next 6 points to pocket another victory and enter the quarterfinals.
He will face Serbian Dusan Lajovic who stunned one of the hottest players on the circuit, the Argentine World No. 6, Juan Martin Del Potro in a hard-fought three-setter. Lajovic came back from a set down to win the match 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(6). This ended del Potro's first clay court tournament.