World Tennis Tournament: Shapovalov’s dismal start continues as Dimitrov bounces back
GRIGOR Dimitrov has bounced back from a shock loss to world number 91, Gregoire Barrere in Montpellier to send Canadian up-and-comer Denis Shapovalov packing in the first round. The former top three player outclassed the 20-year-old eighth seed 6-4 7-6, making it four consecutive losses for the world number 16.
Shapovalov bowed out in the quarter finals of the ASB Classic to eventual winner Ugo Humbert, before losing to Marton Fucsovics in the first round at Melbourne Park, and going down to compatriot Vasek Pospisil in the Round of 16 last week at Montpellier – just three weeks since he toppled Pospisil in what would be his most recent win. Drawing Dimitrov in the first round is something no seed wants to have given the 28-year-old Bulgarian’s ability to beat anyone on his day. He certainly beat Shapovalov with a 6-4 7-6 win in just under 90 minutes. Both players were near-unstoppable on first serve with the Canadian (83 per cent) marginally shading the Bulgarian (80 per cent) on first serve points won. However it was Dimitrov who was far more effective in winning on his second serve, claiming 62 per cent of the points to Shapovalov’s 43 per cent. Most importantly, Dimitrov had the only break of the match from three opportunities, while Shapovalov was unable to capitalise from the same amount of chances. Dimitrov could soon be a wanted man in Canada if he keeps the form up, with a potential second round clash against 19-year-old Canadian, Felix Auger-Aliassime on the cards if the teenager can down pesky German counter puncher, Jan-Lennard Struff in the Round of 32 matchup.
In other results, sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut downed Hungarian qualifier, Fucsovics 4-6 7-6 6-1 to come from behind to set up an all-Spanish second round clash against Pablo Carreno Busta. The top 30 player defeated Frenchman, Adrian Mannarino in three sets, 7-5 6-7 6-4, while in the other match played, Great Britain’s Dan Evans downed German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-5.
Round of 32 Results:
[6] R. Bautista Agut (ESP) defeated [Q] M. Fucsovics (HUN) 4-6 7-6 6-1
G. Dimitrov (BUL) defeated [8] D. Shapovalov (CAN) 6-3 7-6
P. Carreno Busta (ESP) defeated A. Mannarino (FRA) 7-5 6-7 6-4
D. Evans (GBR) defeated [Q] P. Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3 7-5
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