And now?

We know Shapo: capable of having an excellent first round and then collapsing for no reason afterward...

Apart from the second set, Shapo really played well against Stefanos in the first round. Not too many unforced errors, super focused and proactive just the way we like him, it was his best version or close to it! That said, I have to say the match-up is favorable for him to begin with: up against a Greek player who’s still just as bad on the backhand side and incapable of adjusting his strategy, he already had a head start as long as his tennis showed up. I’m toning it down though because tomorrow he’ll be facing a different match-up against a very solid guy who’s one of the strongest mentally on tour. Mister Etcheverry didn’t exactly shine with his level during the Golden Swing, I didn’t see a guy dominating from start to finish, but he comes back with a title so hats off, sir! Semi in Buenos Aires, title in Rio despite a crazy schedule, Shapo knows what to expect and it’s not the type of match-up I like best for him. Etcheverry isn’t going to make errors, he’s going to play every point wanting to win it and, above all, he’s coming in with huge confidence.

Shapo is a much better hard-court player and he’s particularly invested in these tournaments, but let’s be careful not to overrate him too quickly, his old demons are never very far away...