It was just a few months ago it seemed like Denis Shapovalov couldn't lose. Now the 18-year-old Canadian is having trouble putting together a single victory.
For the third straight competition, Shapovalov lost his opening match, this time falling to Ernesto Escobedo in straight sets Tuesday (6-6(7), 4-6) at the ATP European Open in Antwerp.
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Shapovalov, who began the week 50th in the ATP World rankings, suffered another setback, having also lost in the first round of the ATP Shanghai Masters last week, and in his only 2017 Laver Cup match in late September. After the Shanghai event, Shapovalov revealed he was ill in the days leading up to his match, and advised by his team to withdraw from the competition.
On Tuesday, Shapovalov double-faulted four times, and while he out-aced Escobedo 14-5, he won 56 percent of his first-serve points, compared to 60 percent by his American challenger. Shapovalov also was unable to convert on either of his two break-point opportunities.
Bouchard out at Luxembourg Open
After taking the first set against Johanna Larrson, Genie Bouchard dropped the next to, and was eliminated in the first round of play at the WTA Luxembourg Open (2-6, 6-2, 6-3).
Bouchard is still scheduled to compete in double's competition in Luxembourg alongside Kirsten Flipkens.