Shapovalov, Polansky and Pospisil lead Canadian hopes at French Open
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is hoping to ride the momentum from his impressive clay-court season into the upcoming French Open.
Shapovalov has risen to a career-high No. 26 in the world rankings after reaching the semifinal in Madrid and the round of 16 in Rome this month. He will be the No. 24 seed at Roland Garros and is scheduled to face unseeded Australian John Millman in the opening round.
“His preparation, this clay-court swing, has been above expectations really,” said coach Martin Laurendeau. “Last year he didn’t even win a match in six or seven weeks on clay. Clay wasn’t really his friend, it was more his enemy than anything. This year it was all about trying to play a full season of clay in the calendar and just learn along the way.”
Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., didn’t make it out of the first round of qualifying at the French Open last year. He went on to enjoy a breakout season and has emerged as one of the ATP World Tour’s top young players.