Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario, pulled off a first-round upset at the 2024 Miami Open on Wednesday. Shapovalov, currently ranked 126th in the world, defeated 75th seed Luciano Darderi 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.
The serve was a big reason for Shapovalov’s success. He had 16 aces, compared to just five for Darderi. Shapovalov also understood Darderi’s serve very well. Shapovalov had 12 break point chances, of which he broke Darderi four times.
Next up for Shapovalov in the second round is tenth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece on Friday. Shapovalov has actually beaten Tsitsipas, the 2021 French Open finalist and 2023 Australian Open finalist, in three of five previous matches. Shapovalov’s victories came in the first round of the 2018 Australian Open (6-1, 6-3, 7-6), the fourth round of Miami in 2019 (4-6, 6-3, 7-6) and 2019 2020 ATP Cup (7-6, 7-6).
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal, Quebec, is also in round two after a 7-5, 6-4 win over Adam Walton of Australia. Next up for Auger-Aliassime on Saturday is fourth seed and 2020 United States Open finalist Alexander Zverev of Germany. Auger-Aliassime beat Zverev twice in seven chances. His victories came in the fourth round of Wimbledon 2021 (6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4) and at the ATP Cup 2022 (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) . .
A Canadian woman will compete on Friday. This is the 31st seed and 2021 United States Open finalist Leylah Annie Fernandez of Montreal. In the second round, Fernandez will face Emiliana Arango from Colombia. Fernandez won their only previous meeting 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 in the second round of Madrid in 2023.
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