Canadian Denis Shapovalov got off to a good start in his duel against Scotland's Andy Murray in the first round of the Dubai tournament, but lost on Monday after a tough fight.
“Shapo”, the 120th racket in the world, lost in three sets 4:6, 7:6 (5) and 6:3 to Murray, 67.
The session lasted 2 hours 32 minutes.
Shapovalov still hit 15 aces during the duel, but also committed 10 double faults. His rival managed three aces against a single double fault.
The Ontarion was broken three times while pulling the same prank on his rival twice.
Murray will face the winner of the duel between the French Ugo Umbert and Gaël Monfils.
Two more representatives of the maple leaf will be in action a little later today.
First, the Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime will face the Italian Flavio Cobolli in the first round of the tournament in Acapulco, Mexico.
Then the Canadian Marina Stakusic will be in action at the competition in San Diego in the early evening. She will cross swords with Russian Marina Melnikova.