Shapovalov, Raonic lead Canadian singles hopes at Wimbledon

Doubles great Daniel Nestor has had a first-hand look at the star power of fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

They have been Davis Cup teammates, occasional practice partners and they’ve even teamed up on the doubles court. Nestor, who’s well into his third decade on the ATP World Tour, has been wowed by the teenager from Richmond Hill, Ont.

“He has so much firepower and athleticism,” Nestor said. “I’m in awe just from hitting with him. This guy is going only in one direction.’

Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., broke out last season and has been on a steady rise up the world rankings. The 19-year-old currently sits at No. 26 and will lead Canadian hopes in singles play with 32nd-ranked Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., starting Monday at Wimbledon.

Raonic is the 13th seed at the AllEngland Club while Shapovalov is 26th. Grand Slam events are given leeway to stray from the world rankings if desired.

Shapovalov will face the 46th-ranked Jeremy Chardy of France in the first round and could face Scotsman and former world No. 1 Andy Murray — who is coming off an 11-month injury absence — in the second round. Raonic opens against Liam Broady of Great Britain and unseeded Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver takes on Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan.

A fourth Canadian man — Peter Polansky of Thornhill — got into the main draw on Friday as a lucky loser for the third consecutive Grand Slam. Lucky losers are players who lose in the final round of qualifying, but are eligible to take a place in the main field (based on world ranking) when another player drops out or is injured.

Polansky will battle Dennis Novak of Austria in the first round.

Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., advanced through the women’s singles qualifying draw and will face British wild card Gabriella Taylor in her main-draw opener at the July 2-15 tournament.

Nestor, who received a wild-card doubles entry with Austria’s Jurgen Melzer, said Shapovalov will be helped by gaining experience in big situations — when a key point or two can swing a match — as he continues his progression on tour.

“He has the best possible problems with his game,” Nestor said from London in a recent interview. “He has so much ability that he has to almost hold back and try to control his abilities because he has so much power and explosiveness. I think it’s almost sometimes a detriment to him because he’s overdoing it.