Canada's Denis Shapovalov makes a forehand return to Russia's Roman Safiullin during their Round of 16 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kelly Barnes
ADELAIDE, Australia – Canada’s Denis Shapovalov advanced to the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International Tennis Tournament, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday.
The Richmond Hill, Ont., native fired seven aces, won 84 per cent of first-serve points and converted on four of his 11 break point chances.
Meanwhile, Safiullin was good for his lone break point opportunity and had three aces to three double faults in the one-hour, 21-minute match.
Shapovalov, the seventh seed in the tournament, is now 2-0 against the Russian.
The two last played one another on Jan. 7, 2022, in the semifinals of the ATP Cup.
Shapovalov will next play the winner between top seed Novak Djokovic and Quentin Halys.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2023.
