In Stockholm Shapovalov makes first ATP final on eighth trip to semis

It has taken him eight trips to the semifinals, but finally, Denis Shapovalov has earned a place in an ATP final. The 20-year-old beat qualifier Yuichi Sugita in Stockholm on Saturday, 7-5, 6-2.

He lost in the semifinals seven times before reaching the milestone, including three times this year (Chengdu, Winston Salem and Miami). It's surprising it's taken this long, given Shapovalov fast rise and high ranking of No. 34. He made his first ATP semifinal in Montreal in 2017 when he announced his arrival with wins over Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal.

Shapovalov recovered from a break down in the first set and held his nerve over Sugita, who beat Janko Tispsarevic in the round prior in what was the Serbian's last-ever ATP match. The No. 4-seeded Canadian has yet to lose a set this week and faces unseeded Filip Krajinovic for the title on Sunday.