Paris, France
Despite a slow start and battling through the elements Denis Shapovalov won his first career match at the French Open on Tuesday defeating Australian John Millman in straight sets 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and three minutes.
It was an impressive win for the 19-year old Canadian, seeded for the first time in a Grand Slam at No 24. Despite trailing 4-1 in the first set and 3-1 in the second, Shapovalov was firing on all cylinders throughout the match, much to the delight of the crowds watching on Suzanne-Lenglen Court.
Shapovalov appeared annoyed at the light rain falling during the start of the match not convinced the players should even be out on the court. After failing to convert three break points in the third game of the match and then getting broken himself, Shapovalov could be heard bickering with the chair umpire. Shorty thereafter there was brief stoppage but play resumed within minutes.
That seemed to spark the lefty who won six of the final seven games of the opening set breaking Millman twice along the way. Shapovalov showing off his beautiful one-handed backhand to win several points to take the first set.
In the second, back to back double faults in the fourth game gave Millman another early break in the set but he handed it right back a game later.
Then, after a rain delay of close to an hour, Shapovalov broke Millman in the ninth game at Love after the 28-year old’s backhand sailed long. In the following game another Millman mistake gave the set to Shapovalov. The winner count after two sets 22-3 in the teenagers favour.
Unlike the opening two sets, Shapovalov turned the tables on his opponent in the third set breaking him early, in the third game. Then later in the set, Shapovalov fended off a couple of game points and then hit a nice forehand winner with Millman looking the other way.
A backhand volley, one of 16 points won at the net, sealed the deal giving the Canadian his first ever match win at Roland Garros.
Shapovalov who started the year 1-3 on clay, has now won seven of his last nine matches on the surface. Next up in the second round is World No. 70 Maximilian Marterer who took out American Ryan Harrison in straight sets.
@Sportshorn
