By Chris Oddo | Monday August 28, 2017
18-year-old Denis Shapovalov won his first Grand Slam match on Day 1 and will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next in New York.
Photo Source: TSN
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov has earned his first Grand Slam win—the hard way. The 18-year-old Canadian, who became the youngest player in ATP history to reach the semifinals of a Masters 1000 event this summer at Coupe Rogers in Montreal, defeated rising Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to book a second-round clash with No.8-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Day 1: Konta Stunned by Serbia's Krunic
He had to qualify for the main draw when the tournament did not offer him one of its wild cards last week. But that hasn’t stopped him from bringing his positive momentum across the Canadian border and onto tennis’ biggest North American stage.
“Jo-Wilfried is an incredible player,” Shapovalov said of Tsonga when he talked to TSN’s Mark Masters on court after the match. “For me there’s nothing to lose I am playing against a guy who has been on tour for so long. I’m just expecting a good match and a good fight—I think it’s going to be really fun.” Shapovalov broke Medvedev seven times and claimed 23 of 35 second-serve return points to keep the World No.54 at bay.
Shapovalov improved to 8-8 lifetime with the win, and 1-1 at the majors. He was given a wild card into Wimbledon and dropped a first-round match with Jerzy Janowicz.
“I just take it match-by-match,” said Shapovalov. “It’s been a long couple of months, but I’ve been playing some good tennis so obviously that helps me. It helps me want to play—I’m very motivated, very inspired.”
Venus Williams Edges Kuzmova
37-year-old Venus Williams battled past 19-year-old Viktoria Kuzmova with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win. The American, celebrating the 20-year anniversary of her U.S. Open debut, was playing against a qualifier that had yet to be born when she made her first appearance at the U.S. Open in 1997.
Williams moves on to face either Oceane Dodin or Pauline Parmentier in round two. The American improves to 72-15 lifetime at New York. Her sister Serena is the only active WTA player to have won more matches (89-11) at the US Open.
Race for WTA No.1 Shrinks
And then there were seven. Eight WTA talents began the U.S. open with a shot at the No.1 ranking, but Johanna Konta’s loss to Aleksandra Krunic eliminates her from contention. The number could shrink to six as soon as Monday evening. Venus Williams will be eliminated later tonight if Simona Halep falls to Maria Sharapova.