A Shapovalov-Kovacevic Final Duel, a First for One-Handed Backhands Since 2019

Qualified for the final of the Los Cabos tournament, Shapovalov will face American Kovacevic (76th). The two players will meet for the first time.

While this matchup is expected to favor the Canadian, it remains noteworthy as both players share a common trait: the one-handed backhand. Indeed, you’d have to go back to 2019 to find a final featuring a duel between one-handed backhands.

The most recent occurrence dates back six years, during the year-end Masters. At the time, Tsitsipas and Thiem faced off in London in a competition featuring the top eight players in the ATP rankings. This new statistic further confirms the decline of this playing style.