Learning process for Denis

SHAME-FACED Denis Shapovalov apologised for l etting his country down after his default for hitting umpire Arnaud Gabas in the eye with a ball handed Great Britain a dramatic Davis Cup victory over Canada i n Ottawa.

The 17-year-old was trailing Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-4 2-1 and had just had his serve broken in the third set when he smashed a ball in anger that struck Gabas.

It was clearly not intentional from the Wimbledon junior champion but, with Gabas in obvious pain, tie referee Brian Earley had no choice but to halt the match and leave Britain the victors.

There were boos from the crowd at the TD Place Arena, who had earlier roared Vasek Pospisil to a 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7/5) victory over Dan Evans that set up the deciding rubber.

An emotional Shapovalov, playing i n only his second Davis Cup tie, said: “I feel ashamed and embarrassed and I just feel awful for letting my team down, for letting my country down, f or acting in a way that I would never want to act.

“That’s the last time I’ll do anything like that. I’m going to learn from this and try to move past it.”

The International Tennis Federation announced Gabas had bruising and swelling to his left eye and had been sent to Ottawa General Hospital for a precautionary evaluation.

Shapovalov must wait to see what punishment he faces. Earley is likely to issue a fine of £9,600 but the International Tennis Federation could increase that and/or hand Shapovalov a ban.

Denis Shapovalov