Canadian Shapovalov's comeback falls short against Nadal at Australian Open

Denis Shapovalov of Canada waves to the crowd following his defeat to Rafael Nadal of Spain during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

MELBOURNE, Australia — It took five set, but Canadian Denis Shapovalov's impressive run at the Australian Open is over.

Spain's Rafael Nadal outlasted the left-hander from Richmond Hill, Ont., winning a marathon five-set quarterfinal match (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3) at Rod Laver Stadium on Monday night.

With the win, Nadal remains on track for a record 21st major singles title. He also improved his career record against Shapovalov to 4-1.

Nadal was appearing in his 14th Australian Open quarterfinal, tying him with Australian John Newcombe for second behind Roger Federer (15).

Shapovalov, 22, was in his first Australian Open quarterfinal. He came off a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 win over third-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany.

Nadal converted two-of-three break opportunities that allowed him to win the opening two sets and take early control of the match.

Nadal grabbed the edge in the first set, breaking the Canadian's serve to go ahead 3-1. Shapovalov was unable to return the favour as Nadal held serve to take the opener 6-3.

A second Nadal break gave the Spaniard a 4-3 advantage, which he then pushed to 5-3 after holding serve. Shapovalov managed to fend Nadal off and hold serve to pull to within 5-4, but Nadal served out the set 6-4 for a 2-0 advantage.

The two remained on serve in the third set until the 10th game when Shapovalov earned his first break to take it 6-4. Then in the fourth set, Shapovalov recorded his second break for a 3-1 advantage en route to a 6-3 victory to force a fifth and deciding set.

An early third break helped stake Nadal to a 3-0 advantage. Shapovalov held serve for the remainder of the set but couldn't break Nadal, who was able to serve out the set and match.

Shapovalov finished with 20 aces and five double faults while Nadal had 10 aces and 11 double faults.

Canada still has a player alive in men's singles. Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime will face Russian Daniil Medvedev also in quarterfinal action.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022.