Shanghai: Denis Shapovalov defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-2 at the Shanghai Masters on Monday, setting up a second-round encounter with defending champion Novak Djokovic.
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The first game of the match stretched to 15 minutes before Tiafoe held serve, but Shapovalov eventually took control with a break in the first set and two more in the second.
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“The start of the match was really important and I was trying to step up from the first game,” Shapovalov said. “I think the first game helped me find a rhythm on his serve.”
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The 36th-ranked Shapovalov played the top-ranked Djokovic on two previous occasions, with both matches taking place this year.
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He took Djokovic to four sets in the third round of the Australian Open, but only won four games in the second round at the Rome Masters.
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“He’s beaten me twice so there’s not much for me to lose, so I’ll just go out there and enjoy myself,” Shapovalov said. “I’ll go out there and give it all I have.”
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