French Open: Shapovalov a comeback kid in first-round win
PARIS — Denis Shapovalov is off to the second round of the French Open in his main draw debut at Roland Garros.
The Richmond Hill teen, seeded 24th, defeated John Millman of Australia 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 in a first-round match on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver dropped a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (5) decision to Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in another first-round match.
Croatia’s Jozef Kovalik led Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont., 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3) before their match was suspended. The delayed match will resume Wednesday.
Shapovalov rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the first set, fighting off one set point in the process.
“My confidence on clay has grown,” Shapovalov said. “My inner belief that I can come back is with me even during the tough moments.”
After a rain delay halted play for an hour with Shapovalov trailing 2-3 in the second set, the left-hander lost just three games the rest of the way. Shapovalov, 19, compiled a 32-9 edge in winners and converted six of 12 break points.
“I’m really happy with the win,” said Shapovalov, who is the second-youngest man in the French Open field. “It’s not an easy match against John, he’s such an experienced player.”
Shapovalov will next face Maximilian Marterer of Germany, ranked 70th in the world, in the second round.
Shapovalov, 19, is competing in his fourth consecutive Grand Slam and his first as a seed. He reached the fourth round last year’s U.S. Open.
Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Croatia’s Mate Pavic are the top-seeded duo in mixed doubles. They won the mixed doubles title last January at the Australian Open.
Dabrowski and Yifan Xu of China are seeded fifth in women’s doubles.
In men’s doubles, Toronto’s Daniel Nestor will team with Jeremy Chardy of France. Pospisil will team with Harrison and Adil Shamasdin of Pickering will play with Sander Arends of the Netherlands.