Denis Shapovalov is ranked a career-best 26th in the world heading into 2018's next Grand Slam event. However, that did him no favors when it came to the French Open draw, which took place on Thursday.
The popular Canadian teen is on the same side of the draw as ten-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, with a possible fourth-round match between the two in store. Not only is Nadal a legend on clay, he is the defending French Open champ and just dusted Shapovalov in a straight-sets win last week in the Round of 16 at the Italian Open.
Still, Shapovalov's clay-court game has impressed this spring. He advanced to the semifinals in Madrid, beating Kyle Edmund and countryman Milos Raonic along the way before losing to world No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4. Shapovalov then went out and won his first two matches in Rome before falling to Nadal.
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Shapovalov opens up the French Open against 28-year-old Australian John Millman. If he wins his first two matches, Shapovalov could face a difficult third-round contest with American Jack Sock, who is ranked 15th in the world.
So far this year, Shapovalov owns a 17-12 record in singles matches. Twice he reached the semifinals of a tournament, doing so at Delray Beach in an ATP 250 tour event as well as the Madrid Open.
Fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil drew Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the first round. If he wins that match, he likely faces the 16th-ranked Edmund in the second round.
Raonic withdrew from the French Open last weekend due to recurring pain in his knee.