Shoelace gate: Rafael Jodar again scrutinised following incredible comeback after saving match points

Rafael Jodar and shoelaces have been two things regularly put in the same sentence as of late. The 19-year-old has earned a tendency of breaking them and needing to replace them, forcing a halt in play. After some time it has not got very popular with a handful of tennis fans with Denis Shapovalov also left fuming when his opponent was forced to replace them for the second time in the match enroute to a catastrophic collapse at the Cincinnati Open.

No matter how much Shapovalov complains about the shoelace debacle, he will be left very angry after his demise on court. After taking a 5-1 lead in the third set with Jodar also struggling with cramp, he would go on to lose the next six games and miss two match points as Jodar completed what was a sensational turnaround in remarkable style, winning 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.

Not once, but twice did Jodar's shoelaces, who have now got a sturdy reputation of not being very robust, broke and Jodar was left with little choice other than to replace them.

It is becoming a theme in his matches with tennis fans suspicious of a plot to save energy and waste time, breaking up the momentum in rough patches and give himself time to think and reset. When this occurred the second time of happening in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, he had won the prior two games and was making what would be a successful charge to the third round after reducing the deficit to 5-3.

As he sat on his chair to embark on the tedious process, Shapovalov noticed it and was not going to let this one slide. "The last time you were drinking water," a dissatisfied Shapovalov called out to his young Spanish opponent.

The crowd were suspicious and sensed some possible tension. This is where the umpire came in to explain what was occurring, saying that Jodar will need a period of time to change his shoelace. As he said "his shoelace has broken again," parts of the crowd showed their disapproval with a few boos being rung around.

Eventually Jodar hopped back on court and would complete the comeback. However, it was not done there. Shapovalov stormed to the umpire's chair, shaking his hand before directing himself to his triumphant opponent who was a lot slower in making his way to the net.

An argument ensued with the Canadian finally having a chance to vent some much-needed frustration. Jodar seemed apologetic, holding his hands up. After the match in statements gathered by Tennis TV, he pleaded his innocence.

"It’s a situation I can’t control, honestly," he noted. "My shoelaces broke, and I needed time to prepare new ones. I will try to have some shoelaces ready for the next match or other shoes to reduce the stoppage time in case it happens again."

The make of a talented tennis player is if they can regularly come through extremely tight battles on top. Jodar has done so on numerous occasions whether in best of three or best of five formats. His talent is unquestionable as he searches for an extraordinary fourth consecutive Masters 1000 last-eight appearance following his semi-final run in the Canadian Open last time out. Before that, he reached the final of the DC Open, only losing to Taylor Fritz.

His top 10 debut is creeping ever closer, and this comeback win boosts his chances that little bit more. After being broken in the first set, Jodar turned a 4-3 deficit around by winning four of the next five games, including an eight-point burst that set him up with set winning opportunities. Shapovalov soon got back level, breaking in the first game of the second set and staying form the rest of the set amid a late break point chance by his opponent being snuffed out.

It seemed the momentum was with the former Wimbledon semi-finalist who sailed into a 5-1 lead. He confirmed this as Jodar hobbled on one leg, seemingly struggling on court. Shapovalov had two chances to serve it out, but both ended with Jodar breaking. At 5-3, two match points were rebuffed by Jodar who battled on.

He was unstoppable in full flow, capitalising on Shapovalov not being able to see it out as five games were won in a row before a sixth was confirmed with a second match point being converted by Jodar. While Shapovalov fumes, Jodar celebrates with a round three tie versus Alejandro Tabilo up next.