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Shapovalov claims 1st career ATP title in Stockholm

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND / AFP / Getty

Denis Shapovalov defeated Serbia's Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 6-4 in the Stockholm Open final to claim his first career ATP title.

It was the rising star's first finals appearance at an ATP tournament after coming up short in seven previous semifinals.

With Sunday's victory, Shapovalov became the first Canadian to win an ATP singles title since Milos Raonic in 2016.

"Me and my team have worked really hard to get into this position of lifting a title, so I am really proud of myself and proud of my team right now," Shapovalov said postmatch, according to the ATP.

The 20-year-old was lights out on his serve, firing 16 aces and winning 93% of his first-serve points.

Shapovalov broke Krajinovic's serve twice and saved the only break point he faced.

With the tournament win, he'll move up to 27th in this week's ATP rankings and crack the top 30 for the first time since July.

"This tournament started the year my mom was born, so it has got a great history and it is amazing to be the first Canadian to win it," Shapovalov said. "I have seen all the amazing names up on the board, so it will be nice to see my name up there as well."

It's been quite the turnaround for the Richmond Hill, Ontario, native. Shapovalov began the 2019 season strong with a fourth-round appearance at Indian Wells in March, followed by a semifinal showing at the Miami Open.

But immediately afterward, the former junior Wimbledon champion struggled throughout the clay and grass-court seasons. Shapovalov didn't find his stride again until he made the semifinal at the Winston-Salem Open in August.

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