Denis Shapovalov is sixteen years old, a Canadian who resides in Ontario, Canada. He registered the biggest win of his career on Thursday in the Drummondville Challenger, defeating second seed Austin Krajicek 6-3, 7-5.
Ranked 775 in the world, few would have given the Canadian a chance against Krajicek, who isn’t far removed from the Top 100, ranked at 101. His win over former junior No.1 Filip Peliwo would have raised few eyebrows, as the former junior star has yet to translate his impressive junior career to the professional circuit Yet the teenager, who stands at 6’0, produced a dominating display to oust the American. Shapovalov dropped just a single point on his first serve, dropping eight points on serve in the entire match, with half of those points double-faults. Krajicek offered three break points in the match and Shapovalov broke twice to win in straight sets. Shapovalov is the reigning Junior US Open Doubles Champion, having partnered Felix-Auger Aliassime to victory in Flushing Meadows in 2015.
Philip Bester joined his compatriot in the quarter-finals, as he followed up his win over Tommy Paul with a 6-3, 7-6 win against Roberto Oterga-Olmedo. Bester broke once from nine opportunities and saved all four break points he faced. Renzo Olivo was the highest-placed seed to emerge from early second round play unscathed, as he defeated Yannick Reuter 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and thirty-one minutes. The match featured eight breaks, and Olivo ensured that five were in his favour to ensure that he will entertain Shapovalov in the quarter-finals.
Frank Dancevic, who accounted for top seed Yuichi Sugita in the first round, plays qualifier Nicolas Jarry in the last remaining second round match. Edward Corrie awaits the winner of that match in the top quarter.
Peter Polansky will play the second teenage sensation in Drummondville, Tim Van Rijthoven on Friday, with Philip Bester also playing fourth seed Dan Evans.
