The men’s singles got underway on Sunday at the Mutua Madrid Open with four enticing clashes in the Manolo Santana Stadium and in Stadium 3. Denis Shapovalov was the first seed (11) to appear in the Caja Mágica.
The Canadian player earned himself a comfortable win over Dusan Lajovic in two sets (6-1, 6-3). Shapovalov needed just 62 minutes to see off the Serb, mainly relying on points won on his first serve (90%) which helped thwart his opponent’s only three opportunities to break.
The world No. 14 enjoyed a successful start to his third appearance at the #MMOPEN, where his best result came in 2018, bowing out to eventual champion Alexander Zverev in the semis. Shapovalov will now take on the Kazakh Alexander Bublik in the second round of the Madrid tournament.
Pedro Martínez and Jaume Munar, who are playing in the Madrid ATP Masters 1000 on wildcards, were unable to repay the home fans with a Spanish victory.
Fine form ?
?? @denis_shapo drops just four games on his way to the 2R, defeating Lajovic 6-1, 6-3. #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/B0BvyTMbKD
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 2, 2021
In the tie that opened the men’s competition, the Valencian was sent packing after two sets (6-4, 7-5) against world No. 58, US player Tommy Paul.
During the hour and a half of play, Martínez all but matched his opponent’s tennis, but his serve was broken once in each set, which eventually proved enough to tip the balance in favour of the player from New Jersey.
For his part, the Mallorcan came painfully close to victory after two hours and 23 minutes of battle against Alex de Miñaur. The Australian player prevented Munar from claiming his first win in the #MMOPEN main draw by coming back from a set down and two break points away from a double break (4-6, 2-4, 15-40).
The comeback from the Sydney-born player with a Spanish mother was fruit of his improved consistency from the baseline, leading to long rallies with the ATP world No. 88 which he punctuated by coming to the net to claim the second and third sets (4-6, 7-5, 6-1).
Other results:
A. Bublik (ZAK) d. M. Fucsovics (HUN) 7-6, 6-3
