By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday February 9, 2025
Denis Shapovalov defeated Casper Ruud to earn his biggest career title on Sunday in Dallas.
Photo Source: TTV
Casper Ruud entered Sunday’s Dallas Open final against Denis Shapovalov leading the pair’s head to head 2-0. But these two talents had never crossed paths on a hardcourt before, so Sunday’s prestigious Texas tilt promised to take on a different complexion.
Playing on his preferred surface, and carrying some stellar form, Shapovalov took charge of matters and earned his biggest career title, defeating Ruud 7-6(5), 6-3 for his third career title and first at the 500-level.
With the win, Shapovalov becomes the first player to defeat each of the top three seeds at an ATP hardcourt event since Daniil Medvedev achieved the feat at the ATP Finals in 2020. As a result of his success the Canadian will re-enter the Top-50 on Monday, rising to No.32 (from 54). It will be his highest ranking since September of 2023.
There was plenty at stake for both players on Sunday.
Ruud was bidding for his second title on a hard court, and his first above 250 level on the surface.
Shapovalov, who had already sped past fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz and ninth-ranked Tommy Paul on his way to the final, was bidding to become the third player to record three Top-10 victories in the same ATP 500 draw since the categorie’s inception in 2009, and the first to do it since Nick Kyrgios’ memorable Acupulco run that saw him defeat John Isner, Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal.
Shapovalov has served magnificently all week, particularly under pressure, and he set the tone early in Sunday’s final by hitting double digit aces by the first point of the tiebreak.
In a set that didn’t feature a single break of serve, the Canadian was the first to get a mini-break when he blasted a backhand down-the-line passing shot past the Norwegian for 3-1. Credit Ruud, who quickly pegged him back to 3-all at the first change of ends.
A backhand that clipped the net cord and caromed high over Shapovalov’s head for a lucky winner allowed Ruud to save a set point but he netted a forehand on the next point to hand the 25-year-old the set in 57 quality minutes.
Shapovalov finished the set with 27 winners and 12 aces, to just 13 total winners and two aces for Ruud – an idea of just how lethal the World No.54’s game was on Sunday.
Riding momentum Shapovalov quickly jumped ahead in the second set with a break for 2-0, before saving a break point to hold for 3-0
There were small windows down the stretch for Ruud, but each time he had a look, Shapovalov found another dead red winner to tilt the scoreboard back in his favor.
He stepped to the line with a 7-6, 5-3 lead and could have easily succumbed to nerves at that point. Instead, he doubled down from 15-30, making one of the best stretch volleys of the tournament to level at 30-all.
"He's played some miractulous shots all through the week but that is one of the best of the lot," said Mikey Perera, who was commentating the match for the world feed.
After two consecutive smash winners, Shapovalov fell to the court on his back in elation.
He didn't just do it this week in Dallas, he did it in style.