Latest news with #DenisShapovalov
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Canada's Shapovalov drops second-round match to American Tien at National Bank Open
Canada's Denis Shapovalov reacts during his straight sets defeat to United States' Learner Tien during second round tennis action at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — A long-awaited homecoming didn't go as planned for Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday night at the National Bank Open. The 22nd-seeded Canadian dropped a 7-6 (4), 7-5 decision to American Learner Tien to the disappointment of the centre court crowd at Sobeys Stadium. Shapovalov, who grew up in nearby Richmond Hill, Ont., last played in front of a regular crowd at the Toronto event in 2018. His last appearance here in 2021 was during the pandemic-impacted season when attendance was limited. After a first-round bye, his 2025 return lasted just one match. Shapovalov made several unforced errors at inopportune times against the 61st-ranked American and they proved costly. "I felt like I wasn't beaten, I lost today," he said. "I had the match, I had the first set and I had the second set. It was just a little bit of nerves and (it) just didn't go my way. "That's tennis. It happens quite often." Shapovalov had found his form of late, rising to No. 29 in the world rankings after earning his second title of the year earlier this month in Los Cabos, Mexico. A former top-10 player, he has overcome a string of injury issues in recent years and has been playing with a renewed sense of confidence. He described the loss on a hot, cloudy evening as "probably completely mental," adding he felt a little uncomfortable on the showcase court with the occasional skidding ball and swirling breezes. Shapovalov had a chance to serve for the opening set but double-faulted twice to allow Tien to pull even. Another double-fault followed in the tiebreaker and the 61st-ranked American took advantage. The second set was similar — Shapovalov blew a chance to serve it out and Tien later broke for the victory in one hour 34 minutes. "I didn't feel like he outplayed me in any of those games," Shapovalov said. "It was me missing." Seeded players were in strong form in early play at the ATP Tour's Masters 1000 event. Third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti of Italy beat Australian qualifier James Duckworth 7-5, 6-1, and fifth-seeded Dane Holger Rune posted a 7-6 (7), 6-3 win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France. Wild-card entry Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont., dropped a 7-6 (7), 6-3 decision to defending champion and No. 18 seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia. Russia's Karen Khachanov, the No. 11 seed, topped qualifier Juan Pablo Ficovich of Argentina 6-4, 6-2 and 26th-seeded American Alex Michelsen downed Chilean qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera 7-6 (7), 6-3. Alexandre Muller of France, the No. 29 seed, outlasted Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. In the late match, top-seeded Alex Zverev of Germany held off Australia's Adam Walton 7-6 (6), 6-4. Zverev won a 52-shot rally in the tiebreaker to earn a set point. "It was a very important moment and a very important point for me," Zverev said. "I was lucky to get through in the first set and then finish it off in two." Tenth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev beat lucky loser Dalibor Svrcina of Czechia 7-6 (3), 6-4 and Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry upset 24th-seeded Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (4). American Reilly Opelka eliminated 16th-seeded Czech Tomas Machac 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo, both from Montreal, and Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., were scheduled to play their second-round matches on Wednesday. Play continues through Aug. 7. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025. Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Richmond Hill's wild thing and wild card are done at the National Bank Open. But one feels like a winner
After a first-round bye at the National Bank Open, Richmond Hill's Denis Shapovalov let two winnable sets slip away on the way to defeat. Chris Young/ The Canadian Press Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
Toronto Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Denis Shapovalov drops second-round match to Learner Tien at NBO Toronto
Published Jul 29, 2025 • 2 minute read Denis Shapovalov, left, congratulates Learner Tien, right, after their match during the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Photo by Matthew Stockman / Getty Images TORONTO — A long-awaited homecoming didn't go as planned for Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday night at the National Bank Open. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 22nd-seeded Canadian dropped a 7-6 (4), 7-5 decision to American Learner Tien to the disappointment of the centre court crowd at Sobeys Stadium. Shapovalov, who grew up in nearby Richmond Hill, Ont., last played in front of a regular crowd at the Toronto event in 2018. His last appearance here in 2021 was during the pandemic-impacted season when attendance was limited. After a first-round bye, his 2025 return lasted just one match. Shapovalov made several unforced errors at inopportune times against the 61st-ranked American and they proved costly. 'I felt like I wasn't beaten, I lost today,' he said. 'I had the match, I had the first set and I had the second set. It was just a little bit of nerves and (it) just didn't go my way. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That's tennis. It happens quite often.' Shapovalov had found his form of late, rising to No. 29 in the world rankings after earning his second title of the year earlier this month in Los Cabos, Mexico. A former top-10 player, he has overcome a string of injury issues in recent years and has been playing with a renewed sense of confidence. He described the loss on a hot, cloudy evening as 'probably completely mental,' adding he felt a little uncomfortable on the showcase court with the occasional skidding ball and swirling breezes. Shapovalov had a chance to serve for the opening set but double-faulted twice to allow Tien to pull even. Another double-fault followed in the tiebreaker and the 61st-ranked American took advantage. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The second set was similar — Shapovalov blew a chance to serve it out and Tien later broke for the victory in one hour 34 minutes. 'I didn't feel like he outplayed me in any of those games,' Shapovalov said. 'It was me missing.' Seeded players were in strong form in early play at the ATP Tour's Masters 1000 event. Third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti of Italy beat Australian qualifier James Duckworth 7-5, 6-1, and fifth-seeded Dane Holger Rune posted a 7-6 (7), 6-3 win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France. 'Very tricky first match for me because he's a big server and (there wasn't) a lot of rhythm in the match,' Rune said. 'I had to really take care of my own serve and then just look for the opportunities that I had.' Wild-card entry Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont., dropped a 7-6 (7), 6-3 decision to defending champion and No. 18 seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Russia's Karen Khachanov, the No. 11 seed, topped qualifier Juan Pablo Ficovich of Argentina 6-4, 6-2 and 26th-seeded American Alex Michelsen downed Chilean qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera 7-6 (7), 6-3. Alexandre Muller of France, the No. 29 seed, outlasted Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. Top-seeded Alex Zverev of Germany was to meet Australia's Adam Walton in the late match. Tenth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev beat lucky loser Dalibor Svrcina of Czechia 7-6 (3), 6-4 and Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry upset 24th-seeded Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (4). Play continues through Aug. 7. MLB Columnists Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Canada
CTV News
5 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Three seeded Canadians placed in separate quadrants at men's National Bank Open draw
Felix Auger‑Aliassime of Canada returns the ball to Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany during their second round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 3, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) TORONTO — Felix Auger-Aliassime is of two minds about the raft of withdrawals from the National Bank Open. On one hand, it is unfortunate that Canadian tennis fans won't get to see the likes of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 6 Novak Djokovic compete in the Toronto tournament. But on the other, Auger-Aliassime's chances of becoming the first homegrown tennis player to win the men's Canadian Open title in the Open Era have undoubtedly improved. 'I think (tournament director) Karl (Hale) and I might have a bit of a different angle here,' Auger-Aliassime, 24, joked as the draw was revealed at Sobeys Stadium on Friday in Toronto. 'Karl doesn't step on a court to play Alcaraz. So in my case, look, every tournament, it happens. You have to consider that the year is long and obviously players will have to make decisions about their schedule. But that doesn't change my goal here. Regardless if they were here or not, I'm here to compete, play and to try to win.' Auger-Aliassime is part of a trio of seeded Canadians alongside Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Dillo. It's the first time the country has three seeded players in the men's bracket at its national open. All were drawn into separate quadrants, meaning the earliest they could meet is the semifinals. They each receive first-round byes as part of the revamped ATP Masters 1000 tournament which will feature 96 players and take place over 12 days — running from Sunday through Aug. 7 — for the first time. Apart from the missing stars, a friendly draw and home crowd could help the Canadians' chances, too. 'I really feel the support that we have from Canadians, so that fills me with a lot of strength and desire to play well,' said Auger-Aliassime, who won Olympic mixed-doubles bronze alongside Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski in Paris last summer. 'It's nice to come back every time. It doesn't happen often, so I try to soak in every moment.' The 21st-seeded Auger-Aliassime, of Montreal, won't have to face a seeded opponent until at least Round 3. He is also staring down a potential fourth-round match against American No. 4 Ben Shelton and a possible quarterfinal against No. 7 Frances Tiafoe, also of the United States. Shapovalov, the Richmond Hill, Ont., native who is seeded 22nd, would have to get through a quadrant that includes No. 3 Lorenzo Musetti and No. 8 Casper Ruud to reach the semifinals. The 26-year-old comes home on a high after winning his second title of the season earlier in July at an ATP 250 event in Mexico. Denis Shapovalov of Canada defeated seventh-seeded American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-2 to win the ATP 250 event at the Cabo Sports Complex on Saturday, July 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP file photo, Eduardo Verdugo Denis Shapovalov of Canada defeated seventh-seeded American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-2 to win the ATP 250 event at the Cabo Sports Complex on Saturday, July 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP file photo, Eduardo Verdugo Montreal's Diallo, the 27th seed who won his first career title in June, shares a quadrant with No. 2 Taylor Fritz and No. 6 Andrey Rublev. Germany's Alexander Zverev is the top seed in the tournament. 'You still have to win any match that comes day after day. And then obviously if you get into the later stages and these guys aren't around, OK, maybe the draw can open up,' Auger-Aliassime said. 'But at the same time, all the players are very high quality these days, so I think anybody that wins the tournament is going to have a hard time.' One of those high-quality players is Norway's Ruud, a 13-time winner on the ATP Tour and three-time Grand Slam finalist. But after winning the Madrid Open in April, Ruud has battled injuries and underperformance, including a second-round loss at the French Open and a withdrawal from Wimbledon. 'I played last week in Gstaad and didn't go as well as I hoped. But … I came early to prepare. So I'm going to try to spend every hour on the practice court well and be ready for this upcoming hard-court swing,' he said. Likewise, Auger-Aliassime's season hasn't gone exactly as planned despite a pair of titles in January and February. He said he employed an early-season strategy that included playing more lower-level tournaments ahead of Grand Slams — but while some went well, it hasn't paid off at majors. Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., who announced he would retire after the tournament, will face a qualifier in his first-round match and potentially meet Ruud in the second round. Liam Draxl, left, and Vasek Pospisil, of Canada, react after defeating Peter Fajta and Mate Valkusz, of Hungary, in their Davis Cup qualifying tennis match in Montreal on Sunday, February 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Liam Draxl, left, and Vasek Pospisil, of Canada, react after defeating Peter Fajta and Mate Valkusz, of Hungary, in their Davis Cup qualifying tennis match in Montreal on Sunday, February 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes At least seven Canadians will compete in the main draw — pending Saturday's qualifying — but there are no all-Canadian matchups scheduled for the first round. World No. 115 Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., will take on No. 92 Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain. Alexis Galarneau, the Laval, Que., native ranked 198th, meets No. 65 Arthur Rinderknech of France. Nicolas Arseneault of Richmond Hill, Ont.— Canada's top-ranked junior — will make his main-draw debut against 68th-ranked Serbian Laslo Djere. A Canadian man has never won the National Bank Open singles title since the Open Era began in 1968. Robert Bédard, who won his third title in 1958, is the last to accomplish the feat. Bianca Andreescu's 2019 championship marked the first for a Canadian woman since Faye Urban in 1969. Dabrowski remains the last Canadian to win on home soil, having emerged victorious in women's doubles alongside Brazilian partner Luisa Stefani in women's doubles in 2021. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025. Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Why the National Bank Open means so much to Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Canadian tennis
Richmond Hill's Denis Shapovalov, seeded 22nd for the National Bank Open in Toronto, dropped by a local tennis clinic for 15 youth players on Friday, part of the Rogers First Set program. R.J. Johnston Toronto Star Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
