Canadian Shapovalov makes ‘dream come true’ with win over Wawrinka

Shapovalov finally put Wawrinka away on his fifth match point, after missing three opportunities on the three-time Grand Slam champion’s serve.

“I went for it a little bit too much, but that’s something I’ve been working on especially the past couple of weeks, just regrouping, refocusing myself and not letting it bother me,” Shapovalov said. “I had my service game and he played a really good first point. But again I didn’t let that affect me. I refocused and managed to serve some big serves, so I’m really proud with that aspect today.”

Meanwhile, Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., topped Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 7-6 (2) on Wednesday.

Raonic will next face Daniil Medvedev, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Martin Klizan, in the quarterfinals. Shapovalov will take on either Jeremy Chardy or Jan-Lennard Struff.

If Shapovalov and Raonic both win, they’ll square off in the semifinals. The Davis Cup teammates are 1-1 lifetime in the head-to-head battle, with Shapovalov winning on clay in Madrid this past spring and Raonic winning on a hard court in Cincinnati in the summer.

Also Wednesday, third-seeded Kei Nishikori advanced with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Benoit Paire. Nishikori will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.

Nick Kyrgios saved two set points in the second set before beating Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, 7-6 (3) to reach the second round. Kyrgios will next face Richard Gasquet, who has defeated Kyrgios in five of their seven previous matches.

Second-seeded Kevin Anderson also advanced to the second round by beating Matthew Ebden 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2. Anderson, who hit 22 aces and saved five of six break points, will next face Frances Tiafoe.

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— With files from The Associated Press.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Canadian Shapovalov makes ‘dream come true’ with win over Wawrinka

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