Denis Shapovalov has made great strides in his game to rise up the ranks, but he's still chasing one milestone deep into 2018: an ATP title. In Tokyo, Shapovalov secured a spot in the semifinals after winning in three tight sets over Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4.
The 19-year-old Canadian had to save a match point in the tiebreaker, which was the momentum swing he needed to secure the third set.
In the semifinals, Shapovalov will face fellow unseeded contender Daniil Medvedev, who he has beaten twice in his career.
Medvedev, ranked one spot lower than Shapovalov at No. 32, won his first two career titles this season. The 22-year-old won't let a chance for a third final appearance of 2018 slip away easily.
He battled to close out No. 6 seed Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals.
