Denis Shapovalov, a Canadian tennis player, made a quick start to the 2022 ATP level 250 Korea Open in Seoul.
The fourth seed successfully carved out a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Spaniard Jaume Munar in the second round of the Korea Open.
The world number 24 hit 31 winners, far more than Munar’s 11 in a match that lasted 1 hour 49 minutes, including breaking the Spaniard twice in each set to advance to his fifth quarter-final of the 2022 season and his first quarter-final since last May.
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“Obviously very happy to get this victory,” exclaimed Shapovalov who won the first meeting against Munar. “Obviously I got a very difficult opponent, he played some amazing games, so, I feel very happy to get this win.”
The Canadian believes the outdoor hard courts in Seoul suit his style of play as he seeks his first title since winning in Stockholm in 2019.
“That must have been pretty fast,” added Denis Shapovalov. “I felt the court made me slide a lot, the ball skidded a lot on the strokes, and I felt if I could maintain an aggressive play and serve well and try to dictate the game I think I could definitely cause damage.”
After starting the 2022 season by helping the Canadian side win the ATP Cup title and reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, the 23-year-old has struggled to find consistency this season. But he is feeling positive about his chances at the Korea Open, where he will meet Radu Albot in the quarter-finals after the Moldovan beat American Steve Johnson 7-6 7-6.
“I don’t have any specific plans to prepare myself. I’m just trying to focus on myself this week, focus on my game. I feel like this court suits my game and I’ve been playing impressively in training. So hopefully I can keep going,” said Shapovalov.
In other action, Japan’s Taro Daniel secured his only remaining second-round spot with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Emilio Gomez. The world number 92 will be eyeing a second quarter-final of the season when he faces compatriot Yoshihito Nishioka.
