November 09, (THEWILL) – Canadian tennis player, Denis Shapovalov, claimed victory at the Belgrade Open, defeating Serbian opponent, Hamad Medjedovic, in straight sets 6-4 6-4. The triumph marks his second ATP Tour title, coming nearly five years after his initial success in Stockholm.
The trophy presentation held particular significance, with Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slam titles, conducting the ceremony in his home city. Shapovalov acknowledged the challenge of the match, stating: “It was extremely tough. Hamad has been playing extremely well and is a good young talent coming up.”
The 25-year-old Canadian’s performance indicates a strong return to form following an injury-laden 2023 season. His victory in Belgrade will improve his ATP ranking by 22 positions, moving him closer to rejoining the world’s top 50 players. Shapovalov reflected on his progress: “It has been a good season for me, just been healthy and back on court. It takes time to climb back up the rankings. A week like this will help a lot.”
For 21-year-old Medjedovic, despite falling short in his first ATP Tour final, the Serbian competitor’s tennis credentials include victory at the Next Gen Finals during the previous season, demonstrating his developing potential within the sport.
The Belgrade Open result represents a significant milestone in Shapovalov’s career revival, marking his first final appearance since Vienna two years ago. The Canadian’s return to winning form adds another chapter to his professional development, while establishing himself once more among tennis’s competitive ranks.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
