Federer books Shapovalov showdown in Miami
Roger Federer will make Denis Shapovalov's dream come true on Friday after the Swiss booked a Miami Open semi-final against the Canadian starlet with a ruthless 6-0 6-4 destruction of Kevin Anderson.
Shapovalov, who beat fellow young gun Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2 to reach his third ATP Masters semi-final, grew up idolising and studying the 20 time Slam-winning Swiss legend who once again rolled back the years with a sublime show at Hard Rock Stadium.
This will be their first meeting and one the Canadian, who will break into the top 20 when the rankings are released next week, cannot wait for.
"It's a match up I have been looking forward to my whole life, a high stakes match against your idol. It's just a dream come true," said Shapovalov.
"I will try and approach it like any other game, try and enjoy it, give it my all. It will be a difficult match but I am just happy to have a chance to play him."
"I practiced with Denis way back, he might have been 16, 17. He was just hitting big. I was, like, 'Wow, it's unbelievable. How old is he? How good is he going to get? It's going to be tough against him."
- Barty breaks through -
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