(Melbourne) Canadian Denis Shapovalov overcame a few odds and beat Serbian Laslo Djere 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) in the first round of the Australian Open, Monday.
Posted at 6:16 a.m.
Shapovalov needed three hours and 23 minutes to complete a game that started in a long first inning and ended in a long last inning – the two went to a tiebreaker.
The Canadian,14and world racket, was not at his best – he committed 68 unforced errors – but he realized what he needed to do to get over the Serbian, 52and player in the world.
Leading 5-2 in the fourth set, Shapovalov served for the win but was unable to drive the nail in the coffin. He committed three unforced errors and a double fault to lengthen the duel. Djere then broke the Canadian twice to force the tiebreaker.
The 22-year-old will face Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon in the second round.
A little later on Monday, Rafael Nadal made a successful debut by defeating American Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
The Spaniard is looking for 21and Grand Slam tournament title that would propel him to the top of ATP history in this regard. His 20 titles are tied with those of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, both absent from the tournament.
Nadal, 35, is the only former winner of the tournament, on the men’s side, to participate in this edition of the Australian Open.
Gaël Monfils was quick in his victory against Argentinian Federico Coria and beat him 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in one hour 35 minutes of play.
Italian Matteo Berrettini, 7and seeded, defeated American Brandon Nakashima 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-3.
The 31and world racket, Carlos Alcaraz opened the tournament with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 three-set victory over Alejandro Tabilo.