Shapovalov reborn in Belgrade!

He had been keeping a low profile for some time. Denis Shapovalov, long considered one of the most talented players of his generation, was in search of his best form and struggling with his physique.

After a less-than-enthusiastic 2024 season, the Canadian may have just breathed new life into his young career.

Forced to go through the qualifying rounds, the marvellous left-hander delighted the Serbian public all week long at the ATP 250 Belgrade. Dominating Lestienne (7-6, 6-4) then Grenier (6-3, 6-4) in qualifying, he didn't slow down thereafter.

Dropping just one set throughout the tournament, he successively eliminated Fucsovics (6-7, 7-5, 6-1), Borges (6-2, 6-4), O'Connell (6-2, 6-2), Lehecka (6-2, 6-1) and finally, much to the public's dismay, the promising Serb Hamad Medjedovic (6-4, 6-4).

Carried along by his ever-aggressive tennis, 'Shapo' still managed to limit his number of unforced errors to a minimum, stifling all his opponents and clinching his second career title after Stockholm just over five years ago (2019).

A promising result for the 2025 season. The icing on the cake was Novak Djokovic himself, who presented him with the trophy!