'I played great tennis today against a tough opponent,' said Shapovalov

The 3rd seed Denis Shapovalov is through to the quarter-final in Dubai, beating Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-3 in 76 minutes, playing on a high level to remain on the title course.

Denis lost 11 points in nine service games and never got broken, keeping the pressure on Hubert and securing three breaks with a reliable return performance that sent him through.

"When you're growing up, you always imagine and wish to be as good as possible. I never imagined having the run I had so early in my career, and I've been able to kind of just progress through the years and get better every year. So, of course, in one way, I cannot believe that this early in my career, I'm able to play so well, but on the other side, I'm here now, so I'm just like any other player. I'm trying to keep going forward and keep getting better and improve myself as a player.

I've put in a lot of good work with Mischa Youzhny in a training block after the Australian Open, and I feel confident in my game and how I feel physically. But it's impossible to say when everything will click together. It's never guaranteed, and I am fighting for every point. I was playing great tennis today. I struggled with Hubert in the past; he's such a great player, and he's got many weapons.

He's not easy to play against, so I'm thrilled to get my first win against him. I think I've been playing well and taking my chances; I was serving well today. I felt it during the important points," Denis Shapovalov said.