The years follow each other without resembling each other. After 2017 and 2019, when he left Marseille in the first round, Denis Shapovalov, seeded fourth, qualified for the quarter-finals on Thursday. The Canadian beat Marin Cilic, former world number 3, 6/4 4/6 6/2, in 1 hour and 59 minutes.
After winning the first set 6/4, Denis Shapovalov nearly broke the tie at the start of the second set, leading 0-40 on Marin Cilic's serve, but Cilic was able to hold on to his serve. The Croatian, who was a finalist in Marseille in 2011 and 2016, then took the lead to finally equalise at one set to one.
3rd participation for Shapovalov
Denis Shapovalov then took control of the match: a white game at the beginning of the third set on Cilic's serve. The hardest part was done for the left-hander and his one-handed backhand.
" It was close and I knew I had to raise my game in the third set if I wanted to beat himDenis Shapovalov explained. I came here in 2017 for the first time. I had a great reception and I love coming back. "
This victory came at the right time: Denis Shapovalov had lost three matches in the first round. The Canadian had not won a match since Auckland in mid-January.
In the quarter-finals, Shapovalov will face Alexander Bublik (KAZ, 55th). The two players have never met.
