Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov shocked top seeded Rafael Nadal to reach the quarter finals of the AFP Montreal Masters tournament, temporarily spoiling the Spaniard's chances of returning to world number one.
The 18 year old Shapovalov continued his giant killing form at the hard court tournament by rallying to stun Nadal in three sets 3-6,6-4,7-6 (7/4) on Thursday.
"I was just swinging for the fences," said Shapovalov, who needed a wild card to get into the tournament.
The 31 year old Nasal would have returned to No. 1 in the world if he had reached the semifinals.
But Nadal struggled to get the ball to Shapovalov's backhand and did not have an answer for the Canadian's blistering forehand winners.
Nasal described it as the worst loss of the season for him for a number of reasons.
"Worst loss of the year because I lost against a player with a lower ranking," Nasal said. "At the same time because of the opportunity I had to get back to Number One."
Shapovalov's biggest win of his young career against the 15 time Grand Slam winner came as a result of some inspired tennis in front of a boisterous home crowd who cheered his every shot.
"He won. It is an amazing for him. It is a great story. I am not happy to be part of this story," Nadal said.
Shapovalov, who is ranked 143rd in the world, quickly got on a roll in Montreal, beating Brazil's Rogerio Dutra Silvaa in the opening round 4-6,7-6 (10/8),6-4. He then defeated former US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round in straight set 6-3,7-6 (7/4) to set up the showdown with Nadal.
Nasal won 77 percent of his first serve points, but had just two aces and six double faults in the two hour, 45 minute center court match.
This is a setback for Nadal in the buildup to the US Open starting August 28 but he still has a chance to regain No. 1.
"The worst thing is playing bad in matches that really matter," Nasal said. "You have to win these matches. I didn't today, I have another week in Cincinnati and then I have the Grand Slam coming."
In Toronto, world number one Karolina Pliskova advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA Toronto hard court tournament while a pair of high seeds Venus Williams and Angelique Kerber crashed out in straight sets Thursday.
Pliskova's opponent Naomi Osaka abandoned due to a muscle injury, leaving Pliskova to advance 6-2,6-7 (4/7), 1-0.
After taking the first set, Czech top seed Pliskova was given a scare after Osaka fought back to level in the second set tie break. But with Osaka clearly in discomfort, the Japanese teenager scratched in the decider.
It was a frustrating end for Osaka, who had to pull out of events in Prague and Madrid earlier this year with the same abdominal injury.
Elina Svitolina easily dispatched the 37 year old Williams 6-2,6-1 while American Sloane Stephens crushed two time major championship winner Angelique Kerber by identical 6-2,6-2 scores.
Pliskova meanwhile was left satisfied after pounding down 12 aces and not dropping her serve once.
She admitted however that she faces a tough challenge holding on to her world number one ranking.
"It's going to be tough," Pliskova said. "There are a few tournaments to go before the end of the year and I know Simona's (Hale) behind me. I'll do my best to stay there as long as I can - hopefully a few more weeks."
Pliskova will now face former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the last eight.
Denmark's Wozniacki advanced to the last eight with a 6-3,6-1 win over 10th seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, a close friend.
Agence France Pressed/ Montreal
The 18 year old Shapovalov continued his giant killing form at the hard court tournament by rallying to stun Nadal in three sets 3-6,6-4,7-6 (7/4) on Thursday.
"I was just swinging for the fences," said Shapovalov, who needed a wild card to get into the tournament.
The 31 year old Nasal would have returned to No. 1 in the world if he had reached the semifinals.
But Nadal struggled to get the ball to Shapovalov's backhand and did not have an answer for the Canadian's blistering forehand winners.
Nasal described it as the worst loss of the season for him for a number of reasons.
"Worst loss of the year because I lost against a player with a lower ranking," Nasal said. "At the same time because of the opportunity I had to get back to Number One."
Shapovalov's biggest win of his young career against the 15 time Grand Slam winner came as a result of some inspired tennis in front of a boisterous home crowd who cheered his every shot.
"He won. It is an amazing for him. It is a great story. I am not happy to be part of this story," Nadal said.
Shapovalov, who is ranked 143rd in the world, quickly got on a roll in Montreal, beating Brazil's Rogerio Dutra Silvaa in the opening round 4-6,7-6 (10/8),6-4. He then defeated former US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round in straight set 6-3,7-6 (7/4) to set up the showdown with Nadal.
Nasal won 77 percent of his first serve points, but had just two aces and six double faults in the two hour, 45 minute center court match.
This is a setback for Nadal in the buildup to the US Open starting August 28 but he still has a chance to regain No. 1.
"The worst thing is playing bad in matches that really matter," Nasal said. "You have to win these matches. I didn't today, I have another week in Cincinnati and then I have the Grand Slam coming."
In Toronto, world number one Karolina Pliskova advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA Toronto hard court tournament while a pair of high seeds Venus Williams and Angelique Kerber crashed out in straight sets Thursday.
Pliskova's opponent Naomi Osaka abandoned due to a muscle injury, leaving Pliskova to advance 6-2,6-7 (4/7), 1-0.
After taking the first set, Czech top seed Pliskova was given a scare after Osaka fought back to level in the second set tie break. But with Osaka clearly in discomfort, the Japanese teenager scratched in the decider.
It was a frustrating end for Osaka, who had to pull out of events in Prague and Madrid earlier this year with the same abdominal injury.
Elina Svitolina easily dispatched the 37 year old Williams 6-2,6-1 while American Sloane Stephens crushed two time major championship winner Angelique Kerber by identical 6-2,6-2 scores.
Pliskova meanwhile was left satisfied after pounding down 12 aces and not dropping her serve once.
She admitted however that she faces a tough challenge holding on to her world number one ranking.
"It's going to be tough," Pliskova said. "There are a few tournaments to go before the end of the year and I know Simona's (Hale) behind me. I'll do my best to stay there as long as I can - hopefully a few more weeks."
Pliskova will now face former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the last eight.
Denmark's Wozniacki advanced to the last eight with a 6-3,6-1 win over 10th seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, a close friend.
Agence France Pressed/ Montreal
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