Tennis

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, has achieved a significant milestone in his career by securing his 200th tour-level victory at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Canadian defeated Lorenzo Sonego in a hard-fought first-round match, winning 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8).This victory marks a special moment for Shapovalov, as he becomes only the fifth player born in 1999 or later to reach 200 wins. He joins an elite group that includes Jannik Sinner, Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Carlos Alcaraz.Shapovalov's triumph also makes him just the third Canadian man to achieve 200 wins in the Open Era, following Milos Raonic and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Vasek Pospisil is the only other Canadian man to reach 100 wins, with 136 to his name.After a challenging period last year, where he missed the second half of the season due to a knee injury, Shapovalov has been steadily regaining his form. He has made impressive runs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, reaching the third round at both events. He also reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event in Washington D.C.Shapovalov's recent success has seen him break back into the Top 100, currently ranked at No. 101. With no ranking points to defend for the rest of the season, he has a great opportunity to finish the year well within the Top 100.In the second round of the Shanghai Masters, Shapovalov will face the No. 14 seed, Ben Shelton, who received a first-round bye.

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, has broken his silence after being defaulted from the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Friday. In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Shapovalov expressed his shock and disappointment over the decision, which he believes was unfair.Shapovalov was match point down, trailing Ben Shelton 6-3 in the second-set tiebreaker, when he was issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The tournament supervisor was called to court and the decision was made to default the 25-year-old from the match.The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) later ruled that Shapovalov would retain the points and prize money earned from his week in Washington, D.C., but would have to pay a $36,400 fine. Shapovalov expressed his gratitude for the reinstatement of his points and prize money but disagreed with the hefty fine."I must state however that I do not agree with the hefty fine I was given, which is more than half the prize money earned last week, and will continue to fight that," Shapovalov wrote.Shapovalov also called for better rules to protect players from abusive fans. "We all work extremely hard—our tennis careers are our lives and should not be derailed by unnecessary, subjective ruling," he said.Despite the disappointment of the default, Shapovalov thanked his fans and fellow players for their support. He will be back on court for his home tournament, the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal.

Denis Shapovalov's Mubadala Citi DC Open campaign came to an abrupt end on Friday night when he was defaulted from his quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton. The incident occurred in the second-set tiebreaker, with Shapovalov trailing by a set and 6-3.After hitting a backhand into the net, Shapovalov threw his racquet to the ground and exchanged words with a fan in the stands. The chair umpire issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, prompting an ATP supervisor to be called to the court.Shapovalov argued that the fan had provoked him, but the supervisor did not accept his explanation. Despite being down three match points, Shelton was awarded the match when Shapovalov was defaulted.This is not the first time Shapovalov has been defaulted from a match. In 2017, he was defaulted from a Davis Cup match after hitting a ball that struck the umpire in the eye.The incident has sparked debate about the subjectivity of the rules and the potential for abuse. Some commentators have argued that the supervisor's decision was too harsh, while others have defended the decision, citing the need to maintain order and respect on the court.Shapovalov's default is a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and professionalism. While it is understandable that players may experience frustration and anger during matches, it is crucial to maintain composure and respect for opponents, officials, and fans.

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, is poised to face Frances Tiafoe, the world No. 26, in a highly anticipated clash at Roland Garros on Wednesday, May 29. Despite his current ranking of 118th, Shapovalov is a formidable opponent, having recently recovered from an injury.Shapovalov's clay-court season has been inconsistent, but he has shown signs of improvement since arriving in Madrid, posting a 4-3 record. Tiafoe, on the other hand, has struggled on European clay, winning only one match before narrowly defeating Mattia Bellucci in his opener.The Bellucci match highlighted Tiafoe's difficulties against left-handed opponents, particularly those with powerful groundstrokes and serves. Shapovalov, a left-hander with exceptional power and serve, poses a significant threat to Tiafoe.Furthermore, Shapovalov holds a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Tiafoe, including a winning record on clay. Tiafoe's success on clay has primarily been on green clay in Texas, which differs significantly from the conditions in Europe.Shapovalov's recent straight-set victory over Luca Van Assche has boosted his confidence, while Tiafoe may be fatigued after playing nearly four hours in his previous match.Overall, Shapovalov appears to have the edge in this matchup. His superior power, serve, and experience on clay make him the favorite to advance to the next round.

Denis Shapovalov, the Canadian tennis star, has sparked a social media frenzy with his emphatic victory at Roland Garros and his subsequent declaration about the color of his polo shirt. After securing his first Grand Slam match win since Wimbledon last year, Shapovalov took to social media to address the buzz surrounding his attire."Forget 'blue and black' or 'white and gold': 'My shirt is salmon,'" Shapovalov declared on X, formerly Twitter, referencing the iconic "Friends" episode where Ross insists his shirt is not pink.Shapovalov's humorous declaration has divided fans, with some insisting it's orange on TV. However, the Canadian's light-hearted commentary has been widely appreciated.The debate over the shirt's color stems from Nike's Paris Collection, which is inspired by the color palette of Roland Garros. According to Nike, the shirt's color is "Pink Quartz," with a "Rust Factor" orange collar.Shapovalov's second-round match against fellow Nike-wearer Frances Tiafoe promises to reignite the debate. Tiafoe, the No. 25 seed, has opted for the "Thunder Blue" colorway of the same kit.The color controversy has added an unexpected layer of intrigue to Shapovalov's Roland Garros campaign. As he progresses through the tournament, the debate over his shirt's color is likely to follow him, adding a touch of humor to the intense competition.

Naomi Osaka, Denis Shapovalov, and Sloane Stephens Headline Day 1 at Stadiium 1The first day of the Stadiium 1 tournament promises thrilling matchups as top players Naomi Osaka, Denis Shapovalov, and Sloane Stephens take to the court.Naomi Osaka vs. Sara ErraniOsaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will face off against veteran Sara Errani in a rematch of their 2016 Miami Open encounter, which Osaka won in straight sets. Despite early-season struggles, Osaka has shown signs of regaining her form. Errani, known for her tenacity, will pose a formidable challenge.Denis Shapovalov vs. Botic van de ZandschulpShapovalov, once ranked in the Top 10, has slipped out of the Top 100. He will face the rising star Botic van de Zandschulp, who has earned a reputation for his resilience. With no previous head-to-head record, this match promises to be a physical battle.Sloane Stephens vs. Mayar SherifStephens, a former US Open champion, will take on Mayar Sherif, a rising star with a solid arsenal. Sherif has the potential to challenge top players, while Stephens has proven her ability to compete at the highest level. This matchup is expected to be a competitive baseline battle.Predictions:* Naomi Osaka* Botic van de Zandschulp* Sloane Stephens