In an effort to play the hometown spoiler, Denis Shapovalov couldn't overpower Julien Benneteau.
Before the match, Benneteau announced he will retire from professional tennis after the Rolex Paris Masters. He was determined to go out on top.
Benneteau staved off a late-match surge to defeat Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4 in the tournament's Round of 64. Shapovalov has now lost four of his last five matches since his run at the U.S. Open.
Julien Benneteau scores a special win on home soil and will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in an all 🇫🇷 round 2 battle at @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/sOXer4GLmn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 30, 2017
Shapovalov struggled against Benneteau in the first set. Benneteau converted on 17-of-19 service points in the set and his lone break point was the deciding factor in the set. In the second set, Shapovalov and Benneteau exchanged equal shots while attempting to best one another.
Shapovalov appeared to gain an advantage late in the first set by holding serve to cling to a 4-3 lead. However, Shapovalov had a difficult time breaking Benneteau's service. The 35-year-old Frenchman aced his way to tie the set then proceeded to break Shapovalov's last two serves to be within four points of advancing.
Despite Benneteau leading, Shapovalov fought back. He saved match point on break as the match required three match points before Benneteau claimed the victory.
Benneteau will next face Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the Round of 32 at the Rolex Paris Masters. Shapovalov now shifts his focus to the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, Italy, on Nov. 5, which will be the final event of his 2017 season.