Shapovalov advances at Cincinnati, but falls behind Raonic in rankings
CINCINNATI — Denis Shapovalov advanced to the second round of the Western & Southern Open with a 7-6 (6), 3-6, 7-5 win over American wild-card Frances Tiafoe on Monday.
Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., won on his second match point after a two-handed backhand volley from Tiafoe landed well outside the court.
The 19-year-old Canadian looked to be in trouble when he went down a break at 4-5 in the third set. But he broke Tiafoe to tie the set, and then again to win.
Shapovalov struggled with his serve at times, committing 13 double-faults to just one for his opponent and only landing 53 per cent of his first serves. But when his first serve was accurate, he won 81 per cent of those points — including 10 aces — in a match that lasted two hours 18 minutes.
Shapovalov will next face Britain’s Kyle Edmund in what is shaping up to be a competitive rivalry. They have met five times over the past two years, with Shapovalov holding a 3-2 edge.
Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., is scheduled to face Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic in the first round today.
Raonic and Shapovalov could potentially face off for the second time if they advance to the third round.
Meanwhile, in the latest ATP world rankings, Raonic moved back into top spot among the Canadian men on Monday after Shapovalov fell six positions on the list.
Raonic held steady at No. 29 but became the national No. 1 for the first time since May as Shapovalov dropped to No. 32.
Shapovalov reached the third round at the Rogers Cup but still slipped in the rankings after losing points gained from his run to the semifinals at last year’s tournament in Montreal.
Raonic lost in the second round last week in Toronto.
Vasek Pospisil of Vernon was the only other Canadian in the top 100 at No. 94, while Montreal’s Felix AugerAliassime rose 13 positions to No. 120.
Rogers Cup champion Rafael Nadal of Spain retained his spot at No. 1 ahead of Switzerland’s Roger Federer. No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina swapped places with No. 4 Alexander Zverev of Germany in the only change in the top five.
Romania’s Simona Halep remained No. 1 in the WTA rankings after beating No. 3 Sloane Stephens in the women’s Rogers Cup final on Sunday. Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki stayed in the No. 2 position.
Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., was the top-ranked Canadian on the women’s list, rising one spot to No. 128.