Three Canadians are into the third round of the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne. On Tuesday evening in Canada, 11th ranked Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario, 14th ranked Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ontario, and 20th ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal, Quebec won their second-round matches.
Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime won in straight sets with complete ease. Shapovalov beat Australian Bernard Tomic 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. It was quite simply a dominant performance, as Tomic lacked energy and interest in being on the court. Tomic had 40 unforced errors in the loss, and was clearly outplayed by Shapovalov from start to finish.
Auger-Aliassme meanwhile beat Australian James Duckworth 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. Auger-Aliassime had 19 aces in the match, while Duckworth only had three. In round three, Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov will play each other. All-time, Shapovalov has the 2-1 advantage, with his wins coming in the first rounds of the 2018 and 2019 United States Open.
Raonic meanwhile beat Corentin Moutet of France in the second round, 6-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-4. Raonic had 26 aces in the match, and won 90% of his first serve points. Raonic will now face Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in round three. Raonic has beaten Fucsovics twice on grass before in Stuttgart.
