Denis Shapovalov played some extraordinary tennis but fell just short in a third set tie-break against Diego Schwartzman at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome.

Shapovalov spoke afterwards and despite a top 10 berth looming, he is not thinking about that and wants to keep pushing.

“My time will come whether it's now or later. I think God has a path for me, and obviously today I wasn't meant to win,” Shapovalov said. “But I'm going to keep working, keep improving, and if I don't get there now, then I'll just keep pushing to try to break through to the Top 10.

“I’m only 21, so I'm really happy with having that chance for now, to come that close.”

He also said that he is pleased and that he was glad to show improvement despite the defeat in the end to the Argentinian who will now face Novak Djokovic.

“Definitely very pleased with myself. Obviously I'm a perfectionist. I expect a lot from myself. Definitely disappointed with today,” Shapovalov added.

“Diego's one of the greatest clay-courters out there right now, so it's big for my part to be able to go toe-to-toe against him from the back despite struggling with my serve.

“I think it's shown great improvement from me, and I'm really, really pleased with the way I was able to play.”

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