Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

On The Rise: Get To Know Budding Tennis Rising Star Denis Shapovalov

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Aug, 2017 12:54 PM
    Canadian teen tennis sensation Denis Shapovalov had the biggest win of his young career on Thursday night when he upset top-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 at the Rogers Cup. 
     
     
    While the 18-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., native's profile — not to mention his world ranking of 143 — is sure to climb thanks to his success in Montreal, he's still a relatively new face on the ATP Tour.
     
     
    Here are five things to help Canadian tennis fans get to know the budding star:
     
     
    HE'S MADE HISTORY ... A FEW TIMES: The win over Nadal put Shapovalov into the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup, making him the youngest player to advance to the tournament's final eight since Bjorn Borg in 1974. He's also the youngest quarter-finalist ever at an ATP Masters event, the highest level on the pro tour. In 2016, he became just the second Canadian to win the Wimbledon boys singles title. Filip Peliwo in 2012 was the first.
     
     
     
    HE'S A LEFTY: Like tennis greats John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors and Nadal, Shapovalov is left-handed. But being a southpaw may not give him the same advantage it gave some of his predecessors. Technical advances in rackets and court surfaces as well as a changes in game strategy and the rise of the two-handed backhand have levelled the playing field in recent years.
     
     
     
     
    HE'S BEEN COMPARED TO ROGER FEDERER: Tennis analyst Craig O'Shannessy once described the young Canadian as "a left-handed version of Federer, with that one-handed backhand," according to the Telegraph in Britain. O'Shannessy also said there is "no ceiling" for Shapovalov, and praised his "great energy and rapport with the crowd." He's certainly made an impression this week in Montreal, with Wayne Gretzky and star swimmer Penny Oleksiak among his boosters in the stands.
     
     
     
    HE RECENTLY CHANGED COACHES: Before the start of the season, his first full campaign as a pro, Shapovalov split with his coach Adriano Fuorivia, who he had worked with for more than four years. Canadian Davis Cup captain Martin Laurendeau was hired as his replacement. Shapovalov said earlier this year that he and Fuorivia are on good terms despite parting ways. "Adriano thought that someone with more experience like Marty would be a good benefit to my team," he said. "It was nothing that happened between us, it was just more of a decision that we made together."
     
     
     
     
    HE'S STILL A KID: Shapovalov showed a flash of immaturity when a ball he carelessly hit in frustration during a Davis Cup match in February struck a chair umpire in the eye. He dealt with the fallout like a man however, making no excuses for the incident, saying he lost control of his emotions and behaved unprofessionally. While he apologized to the umpire, his teammates and tennis fans, the International Tennis Federation didn't let him off the hook. He was fined US$7,000.

    MORE Sports ARTICLES

    'If Kohli Is Boss, Why Have A Coach At All'

    'If Kohli Is Boss, Why Have A Coach At All'
    Former India spinner Erapalli Prasanna took a dig at Virat Kohli and said if the current skipper feels he is the “boss” of the Indian cricket team then the team can do without a coach. 

    'If Kohli Is Boss, Why Have A Coach At All'

    Australian Open Super Series: Kidambi Srikanth In Semis; Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu Bow Out

    Australian Open Super Series: Kidambi Srikanth In Semis; Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu Bow Out
    Newly-crowned Indonesia Open winner Kidambi Srikanth continued his rampaging run to advance to the men's singles semifinals

    Australian Open Super Series: Kidambi Srikanth In Semis; Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu Bow Out

    Virat Kohli Responds To Kumble: Sanctity Of Dressing Room Should Be Maintained

    Opening up for the first time, Virat Kohli on Thursday said that he will never reveal dressing-room details, in an apparent reference to the now retired coach Anil Kumble’s statement that their partnership had become “untenable”.

    Virat Kohli Responds To Kumble: Sanctity Of Dressing Room Should Be Maintained

    Indian Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth Beats World No. 1 Ho To Storm Into Quarters

    Indian Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth Beats World No. 1 Ho To Storm Into Quarters
    After losing the first game, the 24-year-old Indian rebounded strongly to clinch a 15-21, 21-13, 21-13 win over Wan Ho in a gruelling second-round clash that lasted almost an hour.

    Indian Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth Beats World No. 1 Ho To Storm Into Quarters

    Boris Becker, Former Wimbledon Champion, Declared Bankrupt By British Court

    Boris Becker, Former Wimbledon Champion, Declared Bankrupt By British Court
    Boris Becker, former Wimbledon champion, was declared bankrupt at a High Court hearing on Wednesday. Lawyers for the 49-year-old pleaded with a Bankruptcy Court registrar in London for a ‘last chance’ to pay a long-standing debt but his plea got rejected.

    Boris Becker, Former Wimbledon Champion, Declared Bankrupt By British Court

    'Anil Kumble - Virat Kohli Communication Had Stopped Six Months Ago'

    'Anil Kumble - Virat Kohli  Communication Had Stopped Six Months Ago'
    Anil Kumble’s departure as head coach despite a successful year at the helm will be regarded as a triumph for player power in Indian cricket, according to several former captains.

    'Anil Kumble - Virat Kohli Communication Had Stopped Six Months Ago'