Rogers Cup 2017: Canadian teen Shapovalov stuns top-seeded Nadal

Rudi Schuller

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Rogers Cup 2017: Canadian teen Shapovalov stuns top-seeded Nadal image

Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov was not supposed to be much of a challenge for Rafael Nadal.

The difference in experience and notoriety between the 18-year-old neophyte professional and the Spanish all-time great needs no explanation, so when the two met at centre court at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Thursday night no one seriously expected Shapovalov — as promising as he is — to not only push Nadal to the brink, but actually succeed against him.

But that's exactly what happened.

Shapovalov brushed off a routine first-set win by Nadal to fight back take the next two sets, winning an instant classic 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.

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Nadal took 38 minutes to win the first set, with the World No. 2 being pushed early on by the youngster much more than he was in the previous night's action.

However, the Spaniard ultimately took control of the opening set and won handily, looking very much the experienced superstar that the capacity crowd at Uniprix Stadium came to see.

Not to be outdone, Shapovalov stormed out of the blocks to start the second set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Nadal could slow the teenager down. Even with Nadal adjusting, Shapovalov still found ways to electrify the crowd, including a thrilling overhead volley at 4-1 that stopped the Spaniard in his tracks.

Nadal remained unfazed, and pushed the Canadian to the brink in the second set. However, the 18-year-old was able to keep the momentum on his side and ultimately claim the set.

The third set saw the two players go toe-to-toe, including a third game that took nearly 15 minutes to decide. The rest of the match would follow along the same lines, with the players trading points until the match had to be decided by tiebreak.

Shapovalov won the match on a powerful forehand before slumping to the ground, taking in the moment as the Montreal crowd provided the sounds of a massive victory.

The teenager will not have much time to celebrate, as he moves on to face Adrian Mannarino in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Federer moves on

After dropping the first set of Thursday's Round of 16 match with David Ferrer, Roger Federer stormed back to win the next two sets and claim a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Spaniard Ferrer was able to snap Federer's incredible streak of 32 consecutive sets won, forcing the Swiss legend to play catch-up for the first time in several matches. Ferrer was particularly good from the baseline during the opening set, forcing Federer to move from side-to-side perhaps a little more than the 36-year-old was prepared to do.

Forced to win consecutive sets just to remain in the competition, Federer reached into his considerable bags of tricks and worked his way back into the match, outlasting Ferrer in the second set before steamrolling his way to victory in the deciding set.

Federer moves on to face another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista-Agut, in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Rudi Schuller