Facing your idol is never easy, especially if he is one of the greatest players of all time! Denis Shapovalov embraced one duel against his favorite player, Roger Federer, battling against the Swiss in the 2019 Miami Masters semi-final.
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The legend ousted a teenager 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 13 minutes, sailing into the title clash. Denis recalled this duel in his recent conversation with Dominic Thiem and Thanasi Kokkinakis. The Canadian admited the Swiss made him feel like a junior on the court, standing powerless against such a strong opponent.
Shapovalov played well at the Hard Rock Stadium, toppling the rivals like Andrey Rublev and Frances Tiafoe. However, stood powerless against the Swiss maestro, especially in the opening set.
Roger Federer storms over Denis Shapovalov in Miami 2019
Chasing his fourth Miami Masters title, Roger played well against Denis in the semi-final, preserving energy for the title clash. Seeking a spot in his first Masters 1000 final, Shapovalov made a shaky start and struggled throughout the duel despite a stronger resistance in set number two.
The Swiss did everything right, keeping the points on his racquet and pressuring his young opponent. Federer attacked and took charge on serve and return, sailing over the top and becoming the first player with 50 Masters 1000 finals. Roger served at only 49%.
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However, no one could notice that in the legend's game. He dropped eight points behind the initial shot, defending two break points and challenging the young gun to follow those numbers to remain competitive. Shapovalov also struggled to find the first serve.
He could not find the right pattern after missing it, facing issues behind the second serve and offering Federer 11 break chances. Roger converted three, controlling the scoreboard and sailing over the top. The veteran landed 17 winners and eight unforced errors.
He tamed his strokes nicely and left his opponent on a 14-29 ratio. Denis missed equally from both wings and failed to match the pace of world no. 5 in the shortest, mid-range and most extended rallies.
They both left the first serve outside the court ahead of the match, serving under 45% in the opener! However, one striking difference separated the rivals. Roger gave away four points in his games and stole 19 return points, turning them into seven break opportunities.
The Swiss maestro provided two breaks, controlling the scoreboard and building the advantage in no time. Denis led 40-15 in the opening game before facing difficulties. Roger drew six deuces and earned a break chance, missing it after the rival's solid attack.
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Shapovalov brought the game home after ten minutes, avoiding an early setback against his idol. Federer grabbed the second game at love with two minutes and made another push on the return at 1-1. The Canadian sprayed a backhand error, losing serve and falling behind.
The Swiss cemented the lead with a hold in game four and delivered another break in the next one. Thus, he forged a 4-1 advantage in 23 minutes against the rival who could not control his strokes. Denis served to stay in the set at 1-5 and defended two set points.
Federer served for the set at 5-2 and wrapped it up with a service winner, moving in front after 35 minutes and gaining a boost. Shapovalov held at the beginning of the second set. Suddenly, he found the rhythm on the return in the next one, creating two break chances.
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Roger kept his composure and denied them with winners, closing the game with a smash and locking the result at 1-1. Denis sprayed a forehand error in the third game, losing serve and propelling the legend a set and a break in front.
Federer cemented the break with four winners in the fourth game, marching toward the finish line. He provided another hold at love in the sixth game, opening a 4-2 gap and keeping the pressure on the other side. Roger claimed a 30-stroke exchange in the seventh game.
He created a break chance, and Denis denied it to extend his chances. Federer held at love in the eighth game for 5-3, forcing his opponent to serve to stay in the match. The Swiss earned a match point with a forehand winner, and the Canadian stepped in and landed three winners to survive.
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Roger served for the win at 5-4 and landed a volley winner, sealing the deal and reaching his 50th Masters 1000 final.
"Roger can literally make you feel like a junior. We met in the Miami Masters semi-final after I beat good players like Andrey Rublev and Frances Tiafoe. However, Roger made me feel like a junior against him; it was insane," Denis Shapovalov said.
