Shapovalov storms back to defeat Nishikori at Mexican Open

Rudi Schuller

Shapovalov storms back to defeat Nishikori at Mexican Open image

Denis Shapovalov got off to a good start at the Mexican Open, winning 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1 over Kei Nishikori in the round of 32 at the Telcel Mexican Open on Tuesday.

It took a tiebreak to decide the first set, with Nishikori outlasting the Canadian to grab the early lead.

From there it was all Shapovalov, as the 18-year-old continued to show the maturing of his game that has boosted him to No. 45 in the world. Shapovalov hit 11 aces in the match and saved 90 percent of his break points, showing more of the form that was on display when he made it to the semifinals of last week's Delray Beach Open.

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Venus and Serena graphic

After easing past 26th-ranked Nishikori to claim the second set 6-3, Shapovalov powered through the deciding set in dominant fashion to claim the match and advance to the round of 16.

Shapovalov will face Dominic Thiem of Austria on Wednesday.

Rudi Schuller