(Washington) A two-part day for Canada at the Citi Tennis Open on Wednesday. Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino advanced to the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Germany’s Andrea Petkovic, but hours later Ontario’s Denis Shapovalov was shown the exit door in the second round.
Posted at 2:25 p.m.
Updated at 7:18 p.m.
After receiving a bye directly into the second round, sixth-seeded Shapovalov and 22e world player, lost to American JJ Wolf, ranked 99e6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, early evening.
Shapovalov failed to take advantage of the fact that he recorded 20 aces, a stat that was significantly diminished by the 12 double faults he committed.
PHOTO ALASTAIR GRANT, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Denis Shapovalov
Also, Shapovalov was less efficient than his rival when he found himself in front of break points. In seven attempts, Wolf managed five breaks of service and conceded only two to the Canadian, also in seven opportunities.
For his part, Marino, 111e in the world rankings, had an ups and downs match, but finally won after a duel lasting 1 hour 53 minutes.
She hit five aces against three double faults, while Petkovic, 68e world racket, only managed an ace and committed seven double faults. Marino had three service breaks in 10 attempts.
Marino will be in his first quarter-finals of a WTA tournament since the National Bank Cup in Quebec City in 2018.
She will face Australian Daria Saville, who upset American favorite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-4.
Marino set the tone for the match by winning his first two service games at zero. She then took advantage of her only break point of the set to take control of the game.
However, the tide turned in the second race. Marino won just two of the seven points contested on his second serve.
Petkovic managed to destabilize her and get a key break in service. Meanwhile, Marino was unable to take advantage of five break points.
In the final set, Marino gave herself a 3-0 cushion by breaking Petkovic’s serve in the second game. She then broke Petkovic’s serve a second time to find herself on serve for the match at 5-1. Marino did not miss his chance.