Shapovalov Bows Out Early at National Bank Open

Bullets:

• Denis Shapovalov lost in straight sets to 19-year-old Learner Tien in the first round of the National Bank Open.
• His early momentum didn’t suffice, as nerves and a series of errors cost the Canadian the match.
• The loss adds to his winless streak at the tournament since 2019.

Denis Shapovalov’s return to his home tournament under the lights at Sobeys Stadium initially looked promising. 

However, the 26-year-old from Richmond Hill fell 7-6 (4), 7-5 to 19-year-old American Learner Tien in the opening round of the National Bank Open on Tuesday night. 

“I Wasn’t Beaten — I Lost Today” 

Despite flashes of energy and a lot of support from the crowd, Shapovalov once again walked away without a win at the event he once lit up as a teenage phenom.

When Denis Shapovalov broke his opponent’s serve for the second time in the second set… he brought his hand up to his ear, asking for more.. and the fans responded. Still, the Canadian couldn’t quite channel that energy into a victory.

I wasn’t beaten — I lost today. I had the match. I had the first set, I had the second set… just didn’t go my way.

Ranked 29th in the world and riding a four-match win streak following a title run in Los Cabos, Shapovalov came into this match with momentum and high expectations. 

“Just Too Many Mistakes Today.”

He started strong, breaking early and delivering a flurry of aces, but errors and nerves crept in at the worst times. In total, he double-faulted eight times and never looked entirely comfortable in the swirling stadium conditions.

It sucks, of course,” he said. “I never felt like I’m being outplayed… just too many mistakes today.

The loss means Shapovalov is still winless at the NBO since 2019, with his last deep run coming in 2017 when he stunned Rafael Nadal and reached the semifinals. He said he wasn’t aware of his losing streak at the event: “I don’t keep track”.

The disappointment capped a rough day for Canadian tennis. Earlier, Bianca Andreescu pulled out due to an ankle injury, and Leylah Fernandez, still running on fumes after a title win in Washington, was upset in her match.

As for Shapovalov, the night ended quietly. After sending a final backhand wide, he took off his cap, shook hands at the net, and offered a brief wave to the crowd, his eighth appearance at the National Bank Open ending in just 95 minutes.

I didn’t feel, until maybe the very end, that I was going to lose this match.