Laslo Djere (Serbia) v Denis Shapovalov (14) (Canada)
Fresh from his triumph with Canada winning the ATP Cup, Shapovalov had the chance to cement his place as one of the rising stars in mens tennis.
At Grand Slam level, he hadn't set the world on fire early, but 2020 saw a quarter final at Flushing Meadows, and last year a semi final at Wimbledon (beaten by the eventual winner).
Never past the third round at the AO, he would be hoping for a fast start against Djere, who had lost all four previous opening round matches at Melbourne Park.
They had only met once before, in Geneva last year, with the Canadian successful in straight sets.
Shapovalov served first.
Good returning, including a clean winner, gave Djere a break chance. It was saved at the net by Shapovalov. Another break point came with a Canadian forehand error, and was followed by a double fault. Djere led 1-0.
Errors from the Djere racquet gave Shapovalov two break back points. Both saved with attacking tennis, and service held. 2-0.
The next three games were much easier on the server, and Djere was ahead 3-2.
Djere saved a break point in the sixth game and served for the set at 5-4.
Shapovalov saved two set points, one when Djere netted a backhand, and another when he repeated that error.
Then Djere folded. He gifted a second break chance to Shapovalov with a wide forehand. Shapovalov converted with an overhead winner. 5-5.
A tie break was required at 6-6.
At 2-3, Djere lost a point on serve, a backhand mistake. He served again at 3-6, Shapovalov having three set points.
A wide Serbian forehand ended the set. Shapovalov led 7-6(3).
Set two saw no service breaks through six games, but a break to love occurred in the seventh game with Djere serving.
That was enough for Shapovalov to serve the set out 6-4.
Shapovalov had taken control of the match, but he dropped his intensity, and dropped his serve in game two of set three.
Djere led 3-0 after a love game consolidated the break.
A couple of aces helped put Shapovalov on the scoreboard, but Djere remained firm extending the lead to 4-1.
Shapovalov had a break chance in game seven, but a netted return saved Djere who held for 5-2.
Serving to stay in the set, Shapovalov found his first serve to great effect, and Djere would need to serve it out to force a fourth set.
Djere lost the first point but controlled the remainder, taking the set 6-3.
With the first of two break points in the sixth game of set four, Shapovalov cracked the Djere resolve when the Serb pushed a forehand out of court.
Despite some winning Djere forehands, Shapovalov held and was within a game of the second round.
A love game from Djere, including two winners at the net, forced Shapovalov to serve for the match.
A failing Shapovalov forehand and two break points to Djere. Double fault to complete a disastrous game from the Canadian. He led still 5-4, but games back on serve.
At 30-15, Djere put a forehand wide, and Shapovalov hit an off forehand winner which brought up a match point.
Djere put away an overhead to save it. He held serve, even after an untimely double fault, to level at 5-5.
A great overhead from Shapovalov was followed by a series of errors, providing Djere with two break chances. One was saved, but a failed volley on the second gave Djere the break. He would serve for the set at 6-5.
From 30-30, Djere hit a poor forehand, then double faulted. It would be a tie break.
Shapovalov pinched an early mini break, and consolidated to lead 4-1.
Two big first serves at 4-3 and Shapovalov had three match points.
A wide forehand from Djere and it was over. Shapovalov won 7-6(3) 6-4 3-6 7-6(3)
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