Three Canadians are in the second round of the 2020 French Open. Eugenie Bouchard and Leylah Annie Fernandez of Montreal, Quebec have advanced to the final 64 in women’s singles, and Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario has advanced in men’s singles.
Bouchard defeated Anna Kalinskaya of Russia 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday. Fernandez meanwhile knocked out the 31st seed Magda Linette of Poland 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 on Monday. Shapovalov defeated former world number six Gilles Simon of France 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 on Tuesday.
Out of three Canadian performances, Fernandez came through as the underdog. In the process, she exemplified outstanding resiliency and character in her ability to bounce back effectively.
Kalinskaya was playing in her very first French Open main draw match, and was beaten by Bouchard in a match loaded with service breaks. Her only grand slam singles win of her career came in 2019 when she stunned American Sloane Stephens in the first round of the U.S. Open, 6-3, 6-4.
One could argue that Shapovalov may not have played his best tennis. However he deserves a ton of credit as he was once trailing 5-2 in the second set before winning five straight games.
In the second round, Bouchard will now play Daria Gavrilova of Australia, Fernandez will play Polona Hercog of Slovenia, and Shapovalov will face Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain. There is no doubt that Shapovalov will have a tough time in round two on Thursday as Carballes Baena knocked out American Steve Johnson with complete ease, 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 in round one and is a clay court specialist.
