The Canadian left-hander was superb against the third-ranked German, winning the biggest win of his career at the Margaret Court Arena.
Shapovalov blew match points in the tramlines with a wild forehand but the contest ended when Zverev was caught under pressure.
Next for @denis_shapo: Rafael Nadal ๐ฟ #AusOpen ยท # AO2022 https://t.co/JNqZJS8CEd
– #AusOpen (ustAustralianOpen) 1642921451000
“I’m definitely happy with where the game is,” said the 22-year-old enthusiastic player, who has long been tipped for success at the Grand Slam.
“I think off the field I was playing really well, really feeling my shot with both wings.”
Rafa Nadal, ranked 14th, will face off in the semi-finals.
“Fighting someone like Rafa is always an honor,” Shapovalov said of the Spanish great, bidding for a record 21st Grand Slam title. It will always be a fight against him. It will be hard but I will enjoy it. ”
A #AusOpen Personal Best Unlocked ๐ ๐จ๐ฆ @denis_shapo upset Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-3 in his first quarter … https://t.co/7B8cc2H85h
– #AusOpen (ustAustralianOpen) 1642921092000
It was a disappointment for Zverev, who was knocked out of the quarterfinals by Novak Djokovic last year.
Late last year, Zverev suggested that he and Russian Daniel Medvedev could be part of a new “Big Three” with world number one Djokovic in the 2022 season.