Canada’s Shapovalov advances to second round in Dubai with in over Fucsovics

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Canada’s Denis Shapovalov advanced to the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Tuesday.

Shapovalov had eight aces in the match and broke Fucsovics four times on seven chances.

However, the No. 6 seed from Richmond Hill, Ont., struggled with his serve at times. He committed six double-faults and posted a 64-per-cent accuracy on his first serves.

Shapovalov evened his career record against Fucsovics at 1-1. It was the first meeting between the two players since Fucsovics eliminated Shapovalov in the first round of the 2020 Australian Open.

Shapovalov will next face Japan’s Taro Daniel, who moved on with a 6-3, 7-6 (5) win over Belgium’s David Goffin. Shapovalov won the only other meeting between the two in the2019 Australian Open.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2022.