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Shapovalov’s valiant comeback effort halted by Nadal in marathon Australian Open quarter-final

Denis Shapovalov is out of the Australian Open in the quarter-finals after a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 defeat to Rafael Nadal Tuesday.

But the Canadian went out with a bang, and a whimper.

Shapovalov called out Carlos Bernardes and his chair umpire colleagues for being “corrupt”, claiming Nadal benefited from special treatment during a match played in brutal, torrid heat and humidity in Melbourne.

It certainly felt to the 22-year-old as though he had to battle multiple opponents.

“Physically I feel fine. Emotionally, it just sucks to lose that one. Definitely felt like I had it on my racquet,” Shapovalov stated in his post-match press conference. “Third, fourth, fifth set I felt like I was the better player, had more chances. Just one bad game for me [in the fifth set].”

Shapovalov felt Bernardes was giving outsized latitude to Nadal on the time between serves, and the length of his between-set breaks.

In fact, the 2022 rules for a toilet break and a change of attire combined permitted up to five minutes from the time the player arrives at and enters the off-court location. So Nadal didn’t particularly overstep.

“I mean, I think I misspoke when I said [Bernardes] is corrupt, or whatever I said. It’s definitely emotional, but I do stand by my side,” Shapovalov said. “I think it’s unfair how much Rafa is getting away with.”

Shapovalov was clear Nadal alone was enough of a challenge without the crowd applauding the Canadian’s missed first serves, and the umpire giving Nadal what he considered privileged treatment.

Late in the fourth set, as Shapovalov was surging, Nadal had the doctor and physical trainer on court for a consult. He was given some tablets to settle a queasy stomach.

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