Denis Shapovalov continues to impress players in high places.
The 19-year-old Canadian conquered Kei Nishikori in Acapulco in February, practiced with the top-ranked Japanese at the IMG Academy last week and could face Nishikori in the Washington, DC round of 16 if both win their Citi Open openers.
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Nishikori says it's a matter of time until the 26th-ranked Shapovalov cracks the Top 10 because the Canadian has so many weapons.
"He's very talented," Nishikori told the media in Washington, DC. "Great forehand, great backhand and good serve. And he's also quick. So I'm sure he's gonna be Top 10 soon if he plays good tennis. If he plays good tennis, he's gonna be tough."
A year ago, wild card Shapovalov stunned Juan Martin del Potro then shocked Rafal Nadal en route to the Montreal semifinals.
An aggressive, all-court player, Shapovalov became the youngest man to beat a Top 2-ranked player in a non-retirement finish since Nadal upset Roger Federer at the 2004 Miami Open.
Shapovalov also earned the endorsement of another very talented left-hander, Hall of Famer Rod Laver, who has predicted the Canadian will be a future champion.
Nadal, who swept Shapovalov, 6-4, 6-1, in Rome in May, calls the Canadian and Washington, DC champion Alexander Zverev the top two young guns on tour.
"The young guys are coming: Zverev, Shapovalov,” Nadal said. “I’m not going to name them all, but there are many out there right now who I think are particularly special, and they are obviously going to replace us."
"It’s either because they are going to just be better than us in a short time or because logic dictates that age will eventually catch up to us."
Photo credit: @Kei Nishikori