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Denis Shapovalov came to Roland Garros with a miserable 7-9 score in 2023. The Canadian skipped the Rome Masters and entered the season's second Major ranked outside the top-30 for the first time since October 2019. Denis met Brandon Nakashima in the first round in Paris and prevailed 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 47 minutes.
The Canadian squandered two sets to love advantage to keep the rival in contention. However, he stayed composed in the decider and avoided another terrible loss. Shapovalov hit 15 double faults! Still, he held the points won on the second serve above 50% and remained in contention.
They both created 11 break chances, with four return games on Shapovalov's tally and three on Nakashima's. The Canadian was more aggressive, hitting more winners and unforced errors and taming his strokes nicely in the decider when it mattered the most.
The encounter kicked off with four comfortable holds ahead of three successful return games.
Denis Shapovalov beat Brandon Nakashima in five sets at Roland Garros.
Shapovalov broke Nakashima in games five and seven and held at love at 4-3 with a forehand winner.
The Canadian denied a break point while serving for the set at 5-4 with a touchy volley winner and seized the second set point after 44 minutes. Nakashima produced five routine holds in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Denis denied break points in games four and eight to remain on the positive side. The Canadian stepped in on the return at 5-5 and grabbed a break at 15 to move in front. Shapovalov held at 30 at 6-5 to open two sets to love advantage after an hour and 38 minutes.
The returners had no opportunities in the third set's first half, and Brandon denied a crucial break point at 3-3 with a service winner. The American held at love for 5-4 and broke the Canadian at love in the next one to clinch the set and prolong the action.
The fourth set reached 3-3 when Nakashima took charge. Brandon broke at 15 in the eighth game with a volley winner at the net and fired a service winner at 5-3 to wrap up the set and force a decider after two hours and 58 minutes.
Shapovalov made a fresh start and grabbed a break in the fourth game after Nakashima's loose forehand. The Canadian denied a break point in the seventh game with a forehand winner and forged a 5-2 lead. Denis served for the victory at 5-3 and sealed the deal at love to celebrate a much-needed win and advance into the second round.