Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario delivered an impressive second round upset on Wednesday at the 2026 United States Open. Ranked 48th in the world, Shapovalov defeated Luca Van Assche of France, the 40th ranked player in the world, 6-0, 6-4, 7-6.
This was the first time this year that Shapovalov bageled a set. He actually had the opportunity to win the third set earlier. However, Van Assche broke Shapovalov twice in the third set while Shapovalov was serving for the match. Shapovalov then won the third set tie break 9-7. Shapovalov had 11 aces compared to four for Van Assche. Shapovalov also broke Van Assche seven times.
In 2026, Shapovalov has delivered five upsets. He also beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of Dallas, Tomas Etcheverry of Argentina 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, in the second round of Indian Wells, Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the first round of Munich, and 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the semifinals of Los Cabos.
Shapovalov is one of two Canadians in the third round in singles at the US Open. The other is the 31st seed in the women’s draw, Leylah Annie Fernandez of Montreal, Quebec. Fernandez defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand 6-4, 6-1 in round two on Wednesday. Fernandez had the service advantage. She had two aces and three double faults and Sawangkaew had zero aces and eight double faults. Fernandez broke Sawangkaew six times in eight opportunities.
Next up for Shapovalov and Fernandez will be tough American opponents in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday. Fernandez, the 2021 United States Open finalist, will play the third seed and 2024 United States Open finalist Jessica Pegula. All-time, Pegula is 3-1 versus Fernandez. Fernandez’s lone win came in the second round of Washington in 2025, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. Shapovalov, the 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist, will play the fifth seed and two-time grand slam semifinalist Ben Shelton. Over the last three years, Shelton made the semifinals of the 2023 United States Open and 2025 Australian Open. Shelton has defeated Shapovalov all four times head-to-head.
