Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

Canadian Tennis Teen Denis Shapovalov Rockets Up World Rankings After Rogers Cup Run

The Canadian Press, 14 Aug, 2017 12:56 PM
    TORONTO — An unexpected run to the semifinals of the Rogers Cup has rocketed Canada's newest tennis star up the world rankings.
     
    Denis Shapovalov improved from 143rd to 67th in Monday's updated ATP singles rankings.
     
    The 18-year-old left-hander from Richmond Hill, Ont., introduced himself to Canada last week with an exhilarating performance at the Rogers Cup in Montreal that included a victory over top-seeded Spanish legend Rafael Nadal.
     
    The Canadian lost to fourth-seeded German Alexander Zverev in Saturday's semifinals but still pocketed a cool US$220,760 in prize money.
     
    Shapovalov told reporters over the weekend that his "whole life has changed in the past five days."
     
    "I don't even think I realize it yet," he said. "I mean, it's a huge jump (in the rankings)."
     
    The main question now is whether the Rogers Cup was a flash in the pan or a sign of bigger things to come.
     
     
    Zverev, also one of the game's rising stars, predicted a long rivalry with the Canadian.
     
    "I told him that this is just the first match of very many that we will play against him," said Zverev, currently ranked 10th. "Hopefully a lot of other big matches, maybe in Grand Slams, maybe in finals of tournaments.
     
    "On the other hand, I will say 'Don't expect him to win U.S. Open in the next few months.' He still needs some time. This is I think the best tennis he played in his life. For him to play this level consistently, it might take him another two to three years."
     
    Zverev ended his first season as an 18-year-old ranked 83rd.
     
    Shapovalov has spent most of his time since turning pro last year playing lower-tier Challenger events and was scheduled to play the Odlum Brown Vanopen in Vancouver this week. He withdrew Sunday, citing fatigue.
     
    If he can maintain his ranking, he could be leaving the Challenger circuit behind altogether as he'll now have more opportunities to play top-level ATP events.
     
    His next major task will be to qualify for the U.S. Open, which starts later this month in New York.
     
     
    Milos Raonic, Canada's highest-ranked singles player, saw his ranking unchanged at No. 10 after a second-round loss in Montreal. Vancouver's Vasek Pospisil, who was eliminated in the first round last week, dropped three spots to No. 78.

    MORE Sports ARTICLES

    Canadian Swimmer Kylie Masse Sets 100-Metre Backstroke Record At World Championships

    Canadian Swimmer Kylie Masse Sets 100-Metre Backstroke Record At World Championships
    Around this time last year, Kylie Masse might not have pictured herself as a world champion and record holder. That all changed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

    Canadian Swimmer Kylie Masse Sets 100-Metre Backstroke Record At World Championships

    Kevin Durant To Coach Top Prospects At The NBA Academy India

    Kevin Durant To Coach Top Prospects At The NBA Academy India
    Durant will then visit The NBA Academy India in Noida, becoming the first active NBA player to visit the academy.  

    Kevin Durant To Coach Top Prospects At The NBA Academy India

    Team Japan takes the Gold at Canada Cup

    Team Japan takes the Gold at Canada Cup
    Team Australia, currently walked away with silver medals from the final against Team Japan. 

    Team Japan takes the Gold at Canada Cup

    Harmanpreet Slams 171*, Becomes 5th Highest Run-Scorer In Women's ODIs

    All-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur's belligerent century helped India post a massive 281/4 against world champions Australia in the second semi-final encounter of the Women's World Cup at the County Ground here on Thursday.

    Harmanpreet Slams 171*, Becomes 5th Highest Run-Scorer In Women's ODIs

    Asian Champion Shot-Putter Manpreet Fails Dope Test

    Asian Champion Shot-Putter Manpreet Fails Dope Test
    Kaur, who won a gold medal in the recently-concluded Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, tested positive for stimulant dimethylbutylamine.

    Asian Champion Shot-Putter Manpreet Fails Dope Test

    India's Amit Kumar Saroha Wins Silver In World Para Athletics Championships

    India's Amit Kumar Saroha Wins Silver In World Para Athletics Championships
    India's Amit Kumar Saroha clinched a silver in men's club throw F51 competition in World Para Athletics Championships on Monday.

    India's Amit Kumar Saroha Wins Silver In World Para Athletics Championships