Unseeded Shapovalov defeats South African opponent in 1st round of Halle Open
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov defeated South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 7-6 (1), 6-4 in Monday’s first round at the Terra Wortmann Open.
The unseeded Shapovalov, who moved up two places to No. 27 in the latest ATP Tour rankings, took an hour and 34 minutes to take the win.
Shapovalov, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, will face ninth-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany or Austrian wildcard Dominic Thiem in the next round.
Top-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev and second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece top the 32-man field of the ATP 500 grass tournament.
World No. 12 Felix Auger-Aliassime was scheduled to play at the tournament, but the Montreal native pulled out to rest his aching left knee with Wimbledon approaching.
LOOK | Shapovalov takes 94 minutes to win opening game in Germany: