Denis Shapovalov has been no shadow of himself since his presence in the Rome Masters quarter-finals last May. On Wednesday he suffered another disappointment, losing the tournament in Washington in his first match.
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His knocker, the 99th bat in the world, JJ Wolf, won in three sets 6:2, 6:7 (5) and 6:3. It took him two hours and 17 minutes to do the job.
Shapovalov maintained his aggressive style, hitting 16 more winners than his rival but also committing seven more unforced errors.
It was thanks to his efficiency on serve that Wolf finally got the upper hand. In addition to landing 66% of his first serves, he won 81% of the points when he put the ball in play on his first try. He also showed opportunism, taking five of the seven break points that “Shapo” offered him.
Wolf, who had to get rid of qualifier Taro Daniel in the first round, now meets the Dane Holger Rune, who defeated Benoit Paire, in the round of 16.
Rebecca Marino is on her way
After beating Venus Williams two days earlier, Canada’s Rebecca Marino continued Wednesday’s tournament in Washington. This time she defeated the German Andrea Petkovic in three sets with 6:3, 3:6 and 6:1.
Marino (111th) clarified three break points in the opening game of the last set before interrupting the game herself in the next game. The representative of the maple leaf then fought back four more breakballs to make it 4:1. The 68th racquet in the world, on the other side of the net, never recovered.
However, it could be difficult for Marino as she would logically have to meet the event’s favorite, American Jessica Pegula (7th), in the third round. The latter must first dismiss Australia’s Daria Saville (88th).
Marino, who has now won four games in five days including qualifying, will be in the main draw at the National Bank Open in Toronto next week.
Andreescu will be ready
A day after her heavy defeat against American Shelby Rogers in San Jose, Bianca Andreescu assured that she still feels ready for the National Bank Open, which takes place next week.
The Canadian arched her back in pain in straight sets 6-4 and 6-2. She didn’t appear to be in top form by the end of the duel, struggling to run and serve as she can.
“Yesterday’s game [mardi] was tough for me in San Jose,” Andreescu wrote on Instagram. I was uncomfortable in my back but I’m on my way to Toronto now to rest and prepare to play again next Tuesday.