Jimmy Connors has one big hope for Denis Shapovalov after he claims the Dallas Open title

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Denis Shapovalov has just clinched his third ATP Tour title in superb fashion, beating Casper Ruud in the Dallas Open final.

Shapovalov really impressed Roger Federer back in 2017, with the Canadian now the new Dallas Open champion after a final win over second seed Ruud.

World number 32 Shapovalov beat the world number five 7-6(7-5), 6-3 at the ATP 500 tournament, which featured a long list of home stars.

But the American players failed to impress at the Dallas Open, with Shapovalov beating the likes of Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul en route to the trophy.

Fritz was the Dallas Open top seed, while defending champion Paul was the third, but they suffered round of 16 and semi-final exits respectively.

Jimmy Connors hopes Denis Shapovalov can continue his ‘good tennis’ after Dallas Open win

The victory has now caught the eye of former world number one Jimmy Connors, who has shared a positive outlook on Shapovalov after his fantastic Dallas Open success.

“We were a big pusher of his for a number of years,” he said on the Advantage Connors podcast. “I thought he had the talent to get to the top and win, or at least, challenge for Grand Slam titles. I think he has been through some injuries and he’s coming back.

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“Maybe this is the start of that. Maybe being a late bloomer is a good thing for a lot of the guys. Because they appreciate it.

“They have been touted to be top players, Grand Slam challengers and then they don’t make it and fight back and get back to a point where they are starting to find success again and they know what that is like and what it has taken.

“So maybe that is good because we have always said he has got the game for it. Obviously he has put in the time and he’s back and he’s playing good tennis. I hope it continues for him because I always thought he had a game which could challenge the best.”

What is Denis Shapovalov’s career Grand Slam record?

All three of Shapovalov’s ATP titles have now come on indoor hard courts, with his Dallas title following titles in Stockholm and Belgrade in 2019 and 2024 respectively.

Injuries have certainly played a part in his somewhat stuttered career so far, although Shapovalov may be the first to admit that there has also been a lack of consistency.

READ MORE: Denis Shapovalov says what some people have got completely wrong about him after he wins the Dallas Open title

That is particularly true at the highest level, although a lot of luck is also required to clinch a Grand Slam title, which he has failed to do thus far.

The 25-year-old has witnessed the likes of younger players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz outshine him in recent Grand Slams.

He suffered a disappointing second round exit at the Australian Open last month, losing to Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets after a comeback win over Roberto Bautista Agut.

His 2021 Wimbledon semi-final run remains his best Grand Slam finish yet, where his run was ended by top seed and eventual champion Novak Djokovic.