By Chris Oddo | Tuesday February 27, 2018
Denis Shapovalov knocked off former runner-up Kei Nishikori to reach the second round at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco.
Photo Source: Guillermo Sanchez
Denis Shapovalov knocked Kei Nishikori out of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1, to book his space in the second round.
The 18-year-old out-aced Nishikori 11 to 0, and saved nine of ten break points against the World No.26. Nishikori is just in the fledgling stage of his comeback to the ATP World Tour—he spent last summer and the first month of the season rehabbing his injured right wrist. He drops to 3-2 on the season.
Shapovalov will next face the winner of tonight’s match between Dominic Thiem and Cameron Norrie.
Photo credit: Guillermo Sanchez
Del Potro Advances
Juan Martin del Potro powered past Mischa Zverev on Cancha Central, 6-1, 6-2, to set up a second-round clash with David Ferrer. The Argentine improves to 7-3 on the season. He fell in second-round action last week to eventual champion Frances Tiafoe in Delray Beach.
The Tower of Tandil broke five times on eleven opportunities and won 13 of 20 second-serve return points. Zverev broke for 2-4 in the second set but he was far from getting back into the match, as Del Potro answered with a break and hold to close affairs in 61 minutes.
Elsewhere, Hyeon Chung defeated Donald Young, 7-6(5), 6-1, while Australia's Matthew Ebden defeated defending champion and No.7 seed Sam Querrey, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(5).