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.
A tight first set goes the way of @keinishikori against Shapovalov 7-6(3).#AMT2018 pic.twitter.com/g6AEWPYMUh
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 27, 2018
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.
MORE: Shapo happy with 'good start' to season at Delray Beach
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.
.@denis_shapo outlasts Kei Nishikori!
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 28, 2018
The 18 year-old reaches the #AMT2018 second round with a 6-7(3) 6-3 6-1 win. pic.twitter.com/cKwCXuH1Lo
Shapovalov will face Dominic Thiem of Austria on Wednesday.