Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario delivered an upset in the first round of Halle in Germany on Tuesday. Shapovalov, the 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist, upset the sixth seed Ugo Humbert of France, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6. Shapovalov beat Humbert 7-4 in the third set tiebreak.
It was Shapovalov’s fourth career win over Humbert. Shapovalov previously beat Humbert 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the second round of Lyon in 2019, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 in the third round of Rome in 2020, and 7-6, 6-3 in the first round of Madrid in 2022.
Shapovalov was one of three Canadian men to win on Monday. Also in the first round of Halle, 2021 United States Open semifinalist Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal, Quebec beat Laslo Djere of Serbia 6-3, 6-7, 6-1. This was the first time in three meetings Auger-Aliassime beat Djere. The Serbian beat Auger-Aliassime in the Rio final in 2019. Meanwhile, Gabriel Diallo, who is coming off a tournament win in the Netherlands, beat Billy Harris of Great Britain 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in the first round of the Queen’s Club in England.
Diallo will next face Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic. This will be their first meeting head-to-head. Shapovalov will next face Flavio Cobolli of Italy. They have never played before either. Finally, Auger-Aliassime will next play a player to be determined. It will either be Karen Khachanov of Russia or Zizou Bergs of Belgium.
