Shapo, Raonic both advance to third round

Denis Shapovalov likes to set the tone on the tennis court, using an offence-first approach to dictate the pace and force an opponent’s hand.

That style worked nicely in his first two matches at the Australian Open. Repeating that success in the third round will be a much stiffer challenge.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic awaits the Canadian teenager in a matchup that has tournament organizers and fans drooling. An alltime great still in his prime against a top Nextgen talent could be a highlight reel waiting to happen.

Djokovic, a six-time Australian Open champion, is in top form. One of the game’s top defensive players, it will be fascinating to see how he handles the left-hander’s power game.

“He’s got an explosiveness, I would call his ball wicked,” tennis analyst Robert Bettauer said of Shapovalov. “He’s got a wicked ball, the way it moves through the court, the way it kicks up and the way it’s got a lefty spin. So he’s very difficult to play against and he’s a fearless player.”

Meanwhile, No. 16 seed Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., is the only other Canadian remaining in singles competition. He’ll take on Pierre-hugues Herbert of France in the third round after edging Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (11), 7-6 (5).

Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Croatia’s Mate Pavic are the defending mixed doubles champions. The top-seeded duo will open against Australian wild cards Priscilla Hon and Alexei Popyrin.

Meanwhile, Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., lost 6-2, 6-2 to American star Serena Williams, the No. 16 seed.

“She has to be the favourite to win this tournament,” Bouchard said. “It was tough to play against her. I always felt rushed, a bit on the back foot. She just has so much power.”