Denis Shapovalov defeated Matteo Berrettini to reach the St. Petersburg quarter-finals. In press conference, the Canadian player said: 'The match was very difficult. Today Berrettini served in the angles very well. Many tough moments came in the first set, I could not break him.

In the second set I felt tired. The third way was the most difficult one but I am happy to come through. Physically I am ready. I already am used to play five sets, so it's easy for me to play three sets. I came with my family to St.

Petersburg on Monday, just after the Davis Cup, we went on the plane. The last time my father was here he was ten years old. He wanted to come here and visit the city. It's so beautiful here. I liked a lot to walk through the city.' Shapovalov, who was born in Tel Aviv (Israel) but is a naturalised Canadian, shared his love for Russia adding: 'I have not thought about getting the Russian passport yet.

I have a dream: meeting with Vladimir Putin. We will see. In the future, I would like to move to Russia, St. Petersburg mostly, but so far I am in The Bahamas' as reported by Sport Express. Shapovalov lost to Martin Klizan in the quarter-finals in three sets, 3-6 7-5 6-3, after that he was leading a set and a break.

Denis will next play Shenzhen, then Tokyo and Shanghai. ALSO READ: Sponsors do not affect my schedule, says Roger Federer