Two breaks too many

Things were going swimmingly for Denis Shapovalov...until he let nerves creep in when it came time to close out a set. In the end, it was qualifier Brandon Nakashima of the US who got the job done (6-4, 7-5) after 97 minutes of play in the first round of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montréal.

The first break only came at 4-4 in the first set. Unfortunately for the Canadian, his arm let him down in the ninth game, and Nakashima clinched it to serve for the match.

The second set looked a lot like the first when Shapo faltered again at 5-5. With a break in hand, his opponent sealed the deal.

Three from the qualifying rounds power through

Tommy Paul (10) of the US moved into the second round with a win over Luciano Darderi 6-4, 7-6(2) of Italy at the outcome of a hotly contested 145-minute battle.

In an all-French fight, Ugo Humbert (12) had no trouble disposing of Arthur Fils (6-2, 6-2) in only 76 minutes.

Ben Shelton (11) came from behind to oust Alexander Bublik in 89 minutes (7-6(4), 6-2). Bublik was on serve at 5-4 in the first set when the American took control by making better use of his power. He won the tiebreak and capitalized on his renewed confidence to dominate in the second.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain defeated Roman Safiullin in their 86-minute duel (6-2, 7-5).

And two qualifiers and a lucky loser survived to play another day in the main draw. Borna Coric of Croatia overpowered Pedro Martinez of Spain in 93 minutes (6-4, 6-4), while Australia’s Rinky Hijikata did the same against another qualifier, Taro Daniel of Japan, in only 74 minutes (6-1, 7-5). Lucky loser James Duckworth of Australia made the most of his chances against heavy favourite Marcos Giron of the US and came out on top (6-4, 6-1) in what felt like a one-sided campaign.