Denis Shapovalov’s dream week: stuns Casper Ruud to claim first ATP 500 title in Dallas Open

Sunday, 09 February 2025 at 21:51

Denis Shapovalov defeated Casper Ruud in the ATP 500 Dallas Open final, winning 7-6, 6-3 to secure the third title of his career. The Canadian had an impressive week, beating three top-10 players. Previously, he had never defeated more than three top-10 opponents in an entire year, yet he accomplished it three times in Dallas.

It was a stunning run for Shapovalov, as he eliminated the tournament’s top three seeds. He first defeated Taylor Fritz (No. 4) in the second round, then overcame Tommy Paul (No. 9) in the semifinals, before taking down Casper Ruud (No. 5) in the final.

Read also

The match started evenly, with Shapovalov earning his first break opportunity in the third game, but Ruud managed to hold serve. It was the only break point of the set, as both players remained solid on serve. However, the Canadian always seemed closer to breaking.

The set was decided in a tiebreak, where Shapovalov prevailed 7-6[7-5]. He was dominant on serve, firing 12 aces compared to just two from Ruud. Shapovalov also won 76% of points on his first serve, while Ruud managed only 65%.

Read also

The second set began perfectly for the 25-year-old, who broke Ruud in the second game and quickly raced to a 3-0 lead. Everything was going Shapovalov’s way, while Ruud was on the brink. The Norwegian had a break chance in the third game but failed to convert.

At the end of the match, Ruud raised his level on serve and put pressure on Shapovalov to recover the break on return. However, the former Wimbledon semifinalist showed his class, closing out the victory on serve without conceding a single break.

With this result, Shapovalov returns to the winner’s circle, claiming his first ATP 500 title. This victory will see him make a big leap in the ATP rankings, moving from No. 54 to No. 32—earning him a seeded position for upcoming big events like Indian Wells and the Miami Open. The former world No. 10 will take a couple of weeks off before returning in late February for the Acapulco Open, ahead of the Sunshine Double.

Our 2025 singles champion, Denis Shapovalov 🤩 #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/k0NrSHeZWC
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 9, 2025

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Aryna Sabalenka praises Belinda Bencic’s inspiring comeback: “It’s amazing, she deserved that”

Simona Halep reveals her next big goal after retiring from tennis: “I want to be a mother”