Montreal: Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov shocked top seeded Rafael Nadal here Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP Montreal Masters tournament, spoiling the Spaniard’s chances of returning to World No.1 spot.
The 18-year-old Shapovalov, who needed a wild card to get into the tournament, continued his giant killing form at the hard court tournament by rallying to beat Nadal in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Nadal would have returned to No. 1 if he had made it to the semifinals.
Shapovalov had just three wins this season coming into the tournament. However, here he beat Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva in the opening round, followed it up with another win over Juan Martin Del Potro in the second before finally scalping Nadal.
Shapovalov blasted a total of nine aces, including ones on his second serve that handcuffed Nadal. He also had seven double faults and won 67 per cent of his first serve points. Nadal won 77 per cent of his first serve points but had just two aces and six double faults in the 165-minute match.
Elsewhere, Roger Federer maintained his career-long winning streak over David Ferrer to advance to the quarter-finals after a three-set battle with the veteran Spaniard. Federer, 36, had never lost in 16 previous meetings with the 35-year-old Ferrer and the trend continued Thursday. But while Ferrer managed to take the opening set the Swiss ace raised his game to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
“I actually feel really happy because I know I can play a lot better. David can play a lot better, too,” Federer said. “We battled, both tried to find a way to win. You know, he had a good start, I had a better finish.”
Federer will now play another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut, in the quarterfinals. Bautista Agut defeated France’s Gael Monfils in a gruelling slugfest, winning 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2).
At a glance
Denis Shapovalov bt Rafa Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4)
Roger Federer bt David Ferrer 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Roberto Bautista-Agut bt Gael Monfils 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2)
Alexander Zverev bt Nick Kyrgios 6-4, 6-3
Press Trust of India
