The Dallas Open has been a pure joy to watch so far. In an event where the top draw has failed to perform, the other half of the players have stepped up and are looking in red-hot form to clinch the title. One among them is Denis Shapovalov. Once regarded as a tennis prodigy, the Canadian superstar is crushing it in Dallas and looks set to clinch the title. However, standing his way in the quarter-finals will be the Czech superstar Tomas Machac. With the stage set for a thrilling showdown, who will come out on top?
Denis Shapovalov vs Tomas Machac: Preview
The start of 2025 hasn’t been the best so far for Denis Shapovalov. Starting at the Adelaide International, the Canadian pro could only clinch one win and suffered a round of 16 elimination. Then came the Australian Open, where he couldn’t turn it around and suffered a second-round defeat yet again. However, his run at the ATP Dallas is going strong.
Facing Taylor Fritz, in the round of 16, the Canadian pro fired 15 aces compared to Fritz’s 9. Not only that, he also managed to bag a total of 93 points. With his first serve win percentage going in at 75%, he showed sheer dominance and also secured 50% of the breakpoints.
Wow.
Denis Shapovalov rallies to stun top seed Taylor Fritz 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) and advance to the quarterfinals of the #DallasOpen
It’s his first win over a TOP 5 player in almost three years!
Huge performance from the Canadian pic.twitter.com/m387uK339A
— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisMPC) February 7, 2025
On the other hand, his opponent, Tomas Machac started his 2025 season at the Australian Open, where his campaign ended in a third-round loss to Novak Djokovic. Coming into the ATP Dallas, the Czech star has maintained red-hot form and has managed to make his way into the last 8.
In the round of 16, he faced Rinky Hijikata and fired 10 aces compared to the Aussie star’s 1. Not only that, he also managed to convert 3/8 break points and had a 74% win percentage on his first serve.
Shapovalov vs Machac: Head-to-head
When it comes to the head-to-head stats between the two players, the scores are evenly tied at 0-0 each, as their encounter at the ATP Dallas will be the first time the two stars lock horns.
Prediction: Tomas Machac to come out on top of Denis Shapovalov in 3 sets
Denis Shapovalov will have the advantage of playing on home soil, where he has historically performed well in the US tournaments. He has been a consistent performer, steadily improving while handling expectations effectively. His comfort on indoor hard courts has led to deep runs in previous editions of the Dallas Open, making him a formidable opponent.
If Shapovalov starts strong, his explosive game can trouble Tomas Machac. His ability to strike winners from anywhere on the court may help him stay competitive. However, while his recent indoor form has shown promise, he has struggled to defeat top-tier opponents in recent times.
Meanwhile, Tomas Machac has been in excellent form, making him a tough challenge for Shapovalov. Indoor conditions favor his aggressive playing style, and he has already reached the quarterfinals in both indoor events he completed in 2024. With his sights set on reclaiming the Czech No. 1 ranking from Jiri Lehecka and breaking into the top 20, he will be eager to continue his deep run in Dallas. His clean ball-striking and strong hard-court game make him a dangerous opponent, especially after his dominant second-round victory over Rinky Hijikata.
Prediction: Despite his strengths, Machac has a history of physical struggles, which could affect his consistency in long matches. However, his current form suggests he is playing better tennis than Shapovalov. The fast indoor hard courts suit his game well, giving him a significant edge in this matchup. If he maintains his level, Shapovalov will have a strong chance of securing another impressive win.
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