Shapovalov highlights five Canadians in Wimbledon singles main draw

LONDON — Denis Shapovalov is heading into Wimbledon with low expectations.

The young star from Richmond Hill, Ont., has a tough draw at the third Grand Slam of the season, beginning with a first-round match against the red-hot Jeremy Chardy of France on Tuesday.

While unseeded at the tournament and ranked lower on the ATP standings than Shapovalov, Chardy is 12-2 on grass this season.

“I don’t expect that much from myself this Wimbledon, especially with my tough draw,” Shapovalov said Sunday. “I’m here to get better for a couple of years down the road.”

Shapovalov, at No. 26, is the highest ranked player of the five Canadians in the Wimbledon singles main draw.

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No. 32 Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., No. 93 Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver and No. 110 Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont., who got in as a lucky loser after four main-draw withdrawals are the other Canadians in the men’s field.

Montreal’s Eugenie Bouchard is the lone Canadian woman in the singles draw. Now ranked No. 191, Bouchard won three rounds of qualifying last week to earn her spot.

Shapovalov has not had the best grass-court season — he’s 1-3 at events in Stuttgart, London (Queen’s Club) and Eastbourne.

“I felt a little bit physically off, a bit tired,” the 19-year-old said about his 6-3, 6-3 loss to No. 67-ranked Mischa Zverev of Germany in Eastbourne last week.

Shapovalov has been in Europe since the Monte Carlo Open in mid-April.

“Denis just needs a little bit more experience in certain situations,” said the 45-year-old Daniel Nestor, who will be playing his 24th and final Wimbledon in doubles with Austrian Jurgen Melzer. “As far as his abilities, they’re at the highest levels.”

Shapovalov would have had Andy Murray (or France’s Benoit Paire) as his potential second-round opponent but Murray withdrew from the tournament with a hip injury later Sunday.

Raonic has a much more favourable draw, including British wild card Liam Broady for his opener Monday. Raonic, who was hampered by a meniscus issue in his right knee, practised Saturday while wearing white leggings down to his mid-calves.

“It’s just a compression thing,” Raonic said. “It just warms up my knee and keeps it warm.”

His concern now is the right pectoral muscle injury that forced him to withdraw from Queen’s Club two weeks ago. Raonic said it was a strain, not a full tear.

The Canadian has been practicing at Wimbledon since last Monday.

“I’m not so anxious about my level of tennis,” said the 2016 Wimbledon finalist. “It’s more just making sure I’m disciplined with myself mentally and that my body can get me through.”

Pospisil, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2015, plays No. 90-ranked Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan on Tuesday. The 28-year-old hurt his shoulder playing doubles at the French Open and has subsequently lost both matches he has played at events on grass.

Bouchard also debuts Tuesday, against British wild card Gabrielle Taylor, ranked No. 180.

Bouchard, a 2014 Wimbledon finalist, looked in great shape during last week’s qualifiers. She’s been under the guidance of 79-year-old California coaching legend Robert Lansdorp.

“I’ve been working with (Australian physio) Scott (Brynes) and my fitness trainer since February,” Bouchard said. “It’s been a concentrated effort. I feel stronger.”

Polansky, 30, plays No. 172-ranked qualifier Dennis Novak of Austria on Monday.  

Tom Tebbutt, The Canadian Press