Rogers Cup 2017: Shapovalov continues improbable run

Rudi Schuller

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Rogers Cup 2017: Shapovalov continues improbable run image

Adrian Mannarino had already taken down one Canadian fan favourite at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, but he couldn't manage to defeat the newest one.

Mannarino defeated Milos Raonic in the Round of 32, but couldn't replicate his winning ways against 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov on Friday night.

With the crowd firmly behind him, Shapovalov added another victory to his tally after downing top seed Rafael Nadal the previous night. Shapovalov became the youngest player to ever reach the semifinals of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event when he defeated Mannarino  2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

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Similar to Thursday night, Shapovalov had to overcome a first-set loss against Mannarino. This time, the opening set was much rougher on the Canadian, whose serve let him down to allow the Frenchman to dominate en route to a 6-2 victory.

Mannarino showed similar poise in the second set, even with Shapovalov taking most of the early points. It appeared as though Mannarino was ready for his young opponent's burst of energy after the first set, perhaps thanks to a similar script having played out the previous night.

As prepared as Manarino may have been for Shapovalov's second-set ascent, it wasn't enough as the teenager continued to thrill the crowd at Uniprix Stadium and repeated his feat from Thursday by claiming the middle set.

The third set was much more balanced, with the players trading points. With the set tied at 4-4, Shapovalov pulled away for good and continued his unlikely run through the tournament.

Shapovalov will meet Alexander Zverev in Saturday's semifinal round.

Federer into the semis

Earlier in the day, Roger Federer defeated Roberto Bautista-Agut with relative ease, taking the match 6-4, 6-4.

The victory allowed Federer to keep his winning streak at Grand Slam and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events alive for 2017.

In the afternoon's other men's singles contest, Robin Haase required three sets to overcome Argentine Diego Schwartzman. Haase prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, and will face Federer in the semifinals on Saturday.

Wozniacki topples Plíšková

Over in Toronto, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki outlasted top seed Karolína Plíšková to advance to the semifinals of the women's singles draw.

Wozniacki's upset victory required three sets, with each set going long in a back-and-forth battle between two of the biggest names on the women's tour.

After claiming Friday's match 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, Wozniacki moves on to face the winner of the Caroline Garcia vs. Simona Halep match in the semifinals.

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On the other side of the bracket, Sloane Stevens downed Lucie Šafářová 6-2, 1-6, 7-5, and will take on the winner of Garbiñe Muguruza vs. Elina Svitolina.

Rudi Schuller