The US Open quarterfinalist defeated Pedro Martinez 6-4 6-4 at the ATP Rome Masters, as he hopes to ride his good form into the later stages of the competition.

“Of course it's very tough,” Shapovalov said. “Especially after the Grand Slam, your body just kind of naturally wants to relax. Going into a match here is definitely a little bit difficult, but I'm really happy with the way I have been able to maintain my level and maintain physically."

“I have definitely some tougher matches ahead of me, for sure," he added. "Hopefully I can keep doing the same thing that I have been doing, because I feel like against these clay-court players the last two rounds, it's worked really well.”

The 12th seed is yet to drop a set in his opening two matches, and faces Ugo Humbert in the next round. The Frenchman upset hometown favorite Fabio Fognini 7-5 7-6(4), and is tied 1-1 in career meetings against Shapovalov.

“I am very happy to win today against Fabio, a great player,” said Humbert after the match. “I practiced with him three days ago, so it was easier when I started the match and I tried to do my best."

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