Rogers Cup 2017: Shapovalov impresses, Wozniacki rolls on

Rudi Schuller

•
Rogers Cup 2017: Shapovalov impresses, Wozniacki rolls on image

Denis Shapovalov loves to make a dramatic entrance at the Rogers Cup.

After pulling off a stunning upset in the first round of last year's tournament, the Canadian teenager was once again victorious to open the 2017 edition in Montreal.

Shapovalov had to fight back from a first-set loss to oust Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 on Tuesday, but he was able to keep his record in Rogers Cup openers intact. The 18-year-old engaged in a fierce battle with his 33-year-old opponent, needing a lengthy tiebreak and saving four match points to claim the second set before powering his way to a third-set victory to win the match.

SIGN UP to watch WTA and ATP tour events on DAZN

The youngster showed a varied skillset in dispatching Dutra Silva, including a strong forehand at the net to win a crucial second-set rally.

Shapovalov didn't only rely on power, however. He also showed that he had a deft touch at the net later in the second set, volleying a soft backhand during the tiebreak that ultimately swung the match in his favour. 

Moving on to the second round, Shapovalov will face Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Wednesday.

Bouchard moves on in doubles

Genie Bouchard's day started off poorly, with the top-raked Canadian women's player falling in straight sets to Donna Vekic in the singles draw, but she found a silver lining in the doubles competition.

Alongside partner Karolina Pliskova, Bouchard advanced to the second round after defeating Dominika Cibulkova and Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-2.

Played just hours after Bouchard dropped her singles match, there was some concern that the 23-year-old would not be able to perform due to an ankle issue. However, Bouchard dispelled any talk of an injury hampering her.

"I felt fine out there with my ankle," Bouchard told reporters after the match.

Pliskova and Bouchard are not regularly a doubles team, and the Montreal native explained after the match that a simple text message led to her partnership with the world No. 1 on the court in Toronto.

The newly-formed duo is scheduled to face Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke in the second round on Thursday morning.

Andreescu falls in straight sets

Fresh off a breakout tournament in Washington, D.C., 17-year-old Bianca Andreescu had a tougher time of things on home soil as she lost 6-4, 6-1 to Hungary's Timea Babos.

Andreescu reached the quarterfinals of the Citi Open last week, and the teenager looked poised to continue her rise as a professional in Toronto, However, the Mississauga, Ont., native couldn't succeed in her debut at the Canadian competition, held just a few kilometres from her hometown.

Her youthful exuberance was on display early in Tuesday's contest, and despite going down early Andreescu showed glimpses of her immense potential in an incredible rally that saw the Canadian cover seemingly every inch of her half of the court before hitting a point-winning volley.

Babos, seven years Andreescu's senior, was unfazed by the youngster's energetic play and was able to steadily wear down her opponent to take the first set.

The second set was much more straightforward, with Babos dominant and Andreescu struggling to replicate the consistency that propelled her to rarified heights in her previous tournament.

Babos advances to face Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the second round, while Andreescu (with partner Carson Branstine) will now turn her attention to the doubles draw and a Round of 32 match on Wednesday.

Wozniacki cruises

Caroline Wozniacki closed Tuesday's proceedings in Toronto with a relatively uneventful 6-3, 6-0 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Wozniacki, looking for her second Rogers Cup title after winning the 2010 tournament, was the highest-ranked woman to take the court on the day as the Round of 32 got underway.

The world No. 6 showed her class from the outset, forcing mistakes out of Alexandrova throughout.

After taking the first set 6-3, Wozniaki turned up the pressure and overwhelmed Alexandrova in the second set.

Wozniacki will take on the winner of Radwanska-Babos later this week.

MORE:   Live Results: 2017 Canadian Open Tennis Tournament

Rudi Schuller