AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Shapovalov battles through

Shapovalov is coming off an underwhelming 2024 due to injury and setbacks, but he appeared to turn the corner.

Israeli-born Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov. Photo: X
Israeli-born Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov. Photo: X

Israeli-born Canadian Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo battled through a challenging first-round match to advance at the Australian Open on Tuesday night.

Shapovalov, ranked 56th, defeated Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut (53rd) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (8) in a match that lasted more than three hours on Court 5 at Melbourne Park. The 25-year-old delivered 24 aces, but struggled with 15 double faults.

Shapovalov is coming off an underwhelming 2024 due to injury and setbacks, but he appeared to turn the corner at the end of the year by capturing the title at the Belgrade Open.

He has enlisted former World No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic as part of his coaching team. Tipsarevic is a two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist and Davis Cup champion.

With his sights set on Grand Slams and Masters titles this year, Shapovalov faces sixth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the second round of the Australian Open.

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