Shapovalov rallies, Raonic rolls as Canada takes 2-0 lead in singles
TORONTO — Denis Shapovalov battled back for a five-set win over Robin Haase as Canada took a 2-0 lead versus the Netherlands on Friday night in the second rubber of their Davis Cup draw.
Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., struggled with his returns in the first two sets, but then re-focused before ultimately beating Haase 3-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
The most evenly matched pairing of the five-match international competition, Shapovalov is No. 34 on the ATP Tour’s world rankings and Haase is 44th.
They were 1-1 in their previous ATP Tour matches.
After spraying his returns all over the court for the first two sets, Shapovalov seemed more focused in the third.
Shapovalov saved several points before an overhead smash that Haase didn’t even swing at gave him the third set, bringing the partisan Canadian crowd to its feet.
That momentum carried over to the fourth set, with Shapovalov’s serve rounding into form. He blasted an ace past Haase for the set point, taking his total up to four aces in the set, when he had combined for seven in his previous three.
Shapovalov fell behind in the tightly contested fifth set, trailing three games to one but took back-to-back games to tie it. Haase took a 4-3 lead, but the 19-year-old Canadian came right back, winning the next quickly.
Shapovalov took his first lead of the set, 5-4, when Haase’s return went into the net. He then put away the match with a strong return down the line that Haase stopped short on.
Shapovalov’s win came after Milos Raonic manhandled No. 236 Thiemo de Bakker in three sets to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the first rubber of the draw.
Raonic overpowered de Bakker 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, relying on his big serve for 23 aces to the Dutchman’s three.
Raonic was reluctant to say he gave Canada any sort of momentum with his victory.
“Maybe it does set the tone in some ways, but as much as this is a team event, once you step out on the court, you’re there trying to figure out your own things,” said Raonic.
“Tennis, no matter what, will be an individual sport, other than doubles.”
The singles matchups will flip on Sunday, with Raonic playing Haase and Shapovalov taking on de Bakker.