Canadian tennis sensation Denis Shapovalov delivered a commanding performance at the ATP 250 Mifel Tennis Open in Los Cabos, Mexico, clinching the singles title on July 20, 2025. In the tournament final, Shapovalov dispatched Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets, 6–4, 6–2, maintaining his unbeaten run throughout the week.
Shapovalov’s triumph was built on a flawless campaign. Over four matches, he dropped just 18 games, never relinquishing a set. Against Kovacevic, he secured an early break in each set and closed the match with an ace in approximately 75 minutes. Notably, this was the first ATP final since the 2019 ATP Finals to feature two one-handed backhands, a stylistic rarity that highlighted Shapovalov’s dynamic repertoire.
This victory marks Shapovalov’s fourth career ATP title and his second of the 2025 season, following earlier wins in Dallas (ATP 500) and Belgrade. In February, he triumphed in Dallas by conquering three top-10 players—Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Casper Ruud—to lift his maiden ATP 500 trophy.
By reclaiming an ATP 250 crown on hard courts, Shapovalov becomes the sixth tour-level player in 2025 to secure multiple titles. Importantly, his Los Cabos success propelled him from world No. 33 to No. 28 in the ATP rankings as of July 21, 2025, ensuring seeding for the upcoming National Bank Open in Toronto.
Reflecting on his form, Shapovalov described the week as “amazing,” noting that his early-season title in Dallas broke a trophy drought since 2019. “Weeks like this make it worthwhile,” he remarked after the final.
Off court, Swedish tennis pro Mirjam Björklund, Shapovalov’s fiancée, expressed her pride via social media, posting a loving FaceTime portrait with him and their dog after his Los Cabos victory, saying:
“So happy and proud of you @denis.shapovalov.”
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The Los Cabos Open, staged from July 14–19, 2025, on outdoor hard courts, is now in its ninth edition. Shapovalov, seeded third, leveraged his powerful left-handed serve and signature one-handed backhand to dominate matches and emerge as the tournament’s ninth different champion. The event has historically served as a key preparatory stop ahead of Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, paving the way to the US Open.
His aggressive forehand and volleying tactics, combined with court coverage, have been likened to a blend of McEnroe-style serving and Wawrinka-esque backhand prowess—a reminder that his game possesses both flair and force.
With momentum firmly on his side, Shapovalov heads into the Canadian Open (Toronto) as a seeded player. Next up is the hard-court swing anchored by Toronto and Cincinnati, functioning as the US Open build-up. As he seeks a breakout Grand Slam run, his recent string of form makes him a player to watch—particularly with a Top 30 ranking ensuring favorable draws.
His sharp turnaround—from an October 2023 ranking slump outside the Top 100 to earning multiple titles and re-entering the Top 30—demonstrates both resilience and consistency.
Shapovalov’s 2025 campaign now sits at two titles, three finals, and a steadily ascending trajectory, offering a revitalizing glimpse at the peak form once expected during his Top 10 heyday.
