Canadian Denis Shapovalov advanced to the second round of the Madrid Open thanks to a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory against Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta on Wednesday.
Shapovalov, of Richmond Hill, Ont., overcame service accuracy issues to win the duel in one hour and 54 minutes.
Shapovalov placed only 56% of his first serves in play and committed six double faults. However, he had seven aces and saved five of the seven break points he faced.
The southpaw broke Diaz Acosta on three out of six chances, including a big break to take a 4-2 lead in the third set.
Shapovalov, who is now ranked 132e in the world, has struggled this season. His most recent victory improved his record to 5-10, although four of his victories came at a Masters tournament.
The Canadian will now cross swords with another Argentinian, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, in the second round.
The German Daniel Altmaier, the Croatian Borna Coric, the Japanese Taro Daniel, the Dutch Botic van de Zandschulp and the British Jack Draper, among others, also won their first round match on Wednesday.
On the feminine side, the old no World No. 1 Naomi Osaka scored her first victory in two years on clay, after defeating Greet Minnen 6-4, 6-1 in the first round in Madrid.
Osaka fired eight aces and faced just one break point en route to her first victory on clay since defeating Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the 2022 Madrid Open.
“I have my own style of play, and I want to stay true to it, although I have to adapt to the playing surface here,” said Osaka, who returned to the game after maternity leave in January. My game is improving, but I’m watching a lot more clay court matches, and I’m trying to do my homework as best as possible. »
Furthermore, the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro came from behind to surprise her compatriot Paula Badosa 2-6, 6-3 and 6-3. She thus signed her first victory in the main draw of a WTA 1000 tournament and brought her record in 2024 to 30-7.
“My level of play is there, but I have to rebuild my mind,” admitted Badosa, a former no 2 worldwide. I am disappointed every week. I’ve already been at the top, and it’s difficult to accept my ranking right now. »
American Sloane Stephens defeated Martina Trevisan 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4, while her compatriot Bernarda Pera lost 7-5, 6-2 to Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Maria Lourdes Carle earned her first victory on the WTA 1000 circuit after defeating 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-2.