Shapovalov Shocks Kyrgios In Toronto

Denis Shapovalov (photo: Wilson Tennis)

TORONTO, July 26, 2016

The Aviva Centre at York University is the site of the sixth ATP Masters 1000 level tournament of the season, the $4,691,730 Rogers Cup. This year’s field features eight of the top 12 players in the ATP Rankings, led by world number one and three-time champion Novak Djokovic, who is playing the tournament for the 10th consecutive year.

On an action packed Monday line-up Canadian wild card Denis Shapovalov caused the upset of the day, knocking off the tournament’s number 11 Nick Kyrgios 7-6, 3-6, 6-3. The only 17-year-old Wimbledon junior champion, who appeared in his second ATP main draw match, withstood 13 aces, hitting 12 of his own to prevail in one hour and 39 minutes.

“Nick is an incredible tennis player. He’s Top 20 in the world. Maybe even future number one in the world,” Shapovalov said. “So obviously I didn’t expect to win. But like I said before, I’m just going to go fight for every point. That’s what I did. The outcome was very good today.

“I love playing on a big stage. I love impressing people,” said the Tel Aviv born Canadian, who requested to play on Centre Court. “It was very fun for me.”

Shapovalov will next face Grigor Dimitrov. The 25-year-old from Bulgaria fought past Yuichi Sugita, rallying from a set down 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes.

The other seeds in action advanced to the second round. The tournament’s number nine John Isner overcame Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 27 minutes. 12th favourite Bernard Tomic defeated Colombian qualifier Alejandro Gonzalez 6-4, 7-6 and 16th seed Jack Sock emerged victorious from the all-US-American-affair with Denis Kudla, winning 6-2, 6-2.