Shapovalov out in third round at US Open after loss to fifth seed Anderson
NEW YORK — Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov is out of the U.S. Open after losing a hardfought, five-set loss in the third round to No. 5 Kevin Anderson on Friday.
Anderson took control of the fifth set with an early break and went on to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory, setting up a fourth-round meeting with ninth-seeded Dominic Thiem.
While Shapovalov showed a lot of emotion on the court — fist-pumping and yelling after scoring on audacious backhand shots and throwing his racket in frustration after surrendering key points — the experience and imposing serve of the six-foot-eight South African proved too much to overcome.
Still, Shapovalov, a 19-year-old form Richmond Hill, Ont., showed flashes of brilliance in the loss, particularly in the fourth set when he had the crowd on it feet as he broke Anderson in the deciding game.
Shapovalov battled in the fifth set when he fought off four match points en route to winning the ninth game, but Anderson held Shapovalov to love in the deciding game to take the match.
Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., the only Canadian left in singles competition, played 2016 U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka later Friday.