Thursday night in Montreal, an 18-year-old Canadian captivated an entire country with his performance against the top seed in the Rogers Cup.
Denis Shapovalov was the underdog going into his match against Rafael Nadal, and after dropping the first set, it seemed as though the second ranked player in the world might be too much to handle for the youngster.
Shapovalov dug down deep, though, and won the second set before winning the third in a thrilling tiebreaker to upset Nadal and advance at the Rogers Cup.
18-year-old π¨π¦ #DenisShapovalov upset #Nadal to advance at the Rogers Cup.
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The win was the biggest of Shapovalov's career and the internet erupted in congratulatory and shocked tweets.
Shappy scores the HUGE upset!
β Kelcey Brade (@KelceyBradeTSN) August 11, 2017
Biggest career win for the young Canuck over Rafa freakin Nadal. π¨π¦ pic.twitter.com/5XkkcHf5EA
Canadian Denis Shapovalov upsets No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal with epic three-set victory to advance to Rogers Cup quarter-finals in Montreal. pic.twitter.com/Jm3MqM8TRa
β SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) August 11, 2017
INCREDIBLE π€β¬οΈ @denis_shapo What a performance!!! ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»
β Kate Beirness (@KateBeirness) August 11, 2017
YES!!! Unreal grind from @denis_shapo well done!! ππ»ππ»ππ»
β Kara Wagland (@Kara_Wagland) August 11, 2017
Wow
β steve simmons (@simmonssteve) August 11, 2017
El Shapo!
β Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) August 11, 2017
UNREAL!!!! Congrats @denis_shapo ! What an effort, what a match!!!
β Tessa Bonhomme (@Tessab25) August 11, 2017
UNREAL!!!! Congrats @denis_shapo ! What an effort, what a match!!!
β Tessa Bonhomme (@Tessab25) August 11, 2017
Absolutely stunning win from shapstick taking out vamos-Rafa cant believe I am even saying this
β Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 11, 2017
18, dude. 18. #Shapovalov #Nadal
β Nabil Karim (@NabilKarimTSN) August 11, 2017
Shapovalov bat Nadal en trois sets et c'est une des choses les plus folles que j'ai vu dans ma vie dans ce merveilleux sport! pic.twitter.com/NyOzixsCsI
β Audrey Roy (@AudreyRoyRDS) August 11, 2017
The future is now!
β US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 11, 2017
18-year-old π¨π¦@denis_shapo shocks Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in R3 at @CoupeRogers. https://t.co/6OH5INeTJp #USOpenSeries pic.twitter.com/j1hJ5rhx8h
What a performance @denis_shapo!!! ππ»ππ»ππ»
β Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) August 11, 2017
π¨π¦ Shapovalov set to skyrocket 43 spots
β Mark Masters (@markhmasters) August 11, 2017
Will face π«π· (42) Adrian Mannarino in @CoupeRogers QF pic.twitter.com/f2bYxdEZYt
Shapovalov is youngest player to defeat Top 2 opponent in non-RET finish since @RafaelNadal upset No. 1 @RogerFederer in 2004 @MiamiOpen 3R.
β ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) August 11, 2017
Don't watch tennis often.. but I got goosebumps! #RogersCup congrats to the Canadian on that big time win wow #shapovalov
β Jamie McGinn (@JamieMcGinn88) August 11, 2017
Shapovalov. This kid is a little player in the league. Impressive to watch π¨π¦ π¨π¦ π¨π¦
β Mike Hoffman (@MHoffy68) August 11, 2017
A star is born today. Brilliant support for the young challenger. Well done Canada#Shapovalov
β Roger Federer (@RogerXVIII) August 11, 2017
Great match @denis_shapo!! See, it's not a burden it's a wave of Canadian energy pushing you from behind! Go for it! #rogerscup #Shapovalov
β Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) August 11, 2017
wow. Electric battle as Canadian teen Denis Shapovalov stuns Rafa, w/ Gretzky cheering him in front row. Nadal denied #1 ranking.
β Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) August 11, 2017
Between Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov the future of the 1-handed backhand is in good, if different, hands
β Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) August 11, 2017
Players πͺπΈ Nadal has lost to this season:
β Mark Masters (@markhmasters) August 11, 2017
π¨π¦ Raonic
π¨π Federer (x3)
πΊπΈ Querrey
π¦πΉ Thiem
π±πΊ Muller
π¨π¦ Shapovalov
Shapovalov won 7/8 last points in that tiebreak. I can't even imagine the pressure. A star is born.
β Vincent Hughes (@VinceGHughes) August 11, 2017
What a fantastic match! Another #proudCanadian moment! So great!! #Shapovalov
β Laura Stearns (@LauraStearns5) August 11, 2017
Shapovalov is the best 18-year-old on the planet...he may go first overall in the 2018 NHL draft.
β Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) August 11, 2017
Shapovalov will win a major before Raonic. #RogersCup
β The Waterboy Report (@waterboyreport) August 11, 2017
DENIS SHAPOVALOV pic.twitter.com/3KlTo5ESdZ
β abbey jacksonβ (@abbeyjackkson) August 11, 2017
Denis π Shapovalov will now go on to win 11 Roland Garros titles #RogersCup pic.twitter.com/87FP4p3DLW
β Dillon Clarence (@dclarence_) August 11, 2017
Not in our house @RafaelNadal π¨π¦ #Shapovalov
β Rookie Round Table (@RookiePodcast) August 11, 2017
HE'S 18 YEARS OLD, 143 in the world and where did he come from? π¨π¦ #speechless #Shapovalov
β Zack (@Zack_Attack41) August 11, 2017
Congratulations to @denis_shapo on one of the greatest moments in π¨π¦Tennis history defeating the #2 rank player in the world #TeamBiosteel
β andrew wiggins (@22wiggins) August 11, 2017
π 18 years old
β bet365_aus (@bet365_aus) August 11, 2017
π Beat top seed Rafa Nadal
π Wayne Gretzky watching
π Youngest ever Masters quarter-finalist
π Denis Shapovalov, take a bow. pic.twitter.com/DyT0Tfaoj5
Shapovalov's literally 18 πππ wow i love canada go sports go team good job so proud wow omg
β aΙΙ₯sΔ±ΧΗΙ (@fuhliisha) August 11, 2017
Always cool to watch history as it happens. Reminds me of watching Mike Weir win the Masters. Go Shapovalov! #RogersCup
β Bill Malley (@WilMalley) August 11, 2017
Shapovalov OH CANADA, the burden of Canada is yours, "carry the torch high"
β Joe Romito (@JoeMarcheTania) August 11, 2017
Kiss that court, Denis π#CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/slWT94CGGQ
β Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 11, 2017
Denis Shapovalov. More like Tennis Shapovalov. #RogersCup #Shapovalov pic.twitter.com/X1XIshkquZ
β Mike Johnston (@MikeyJ_MMA) August 11, 2017
What a freaking awesome match, huge win for #Shapovalov. Definitely a #ProudCanadian right now!! pic.twitter.com/9tKJLWUp18
β Jayme (@jaycornick) August 11, 2017
Man, Canada could become a serious player in the Davis Cup in years to come. #shapovalov #RogersCup
β Brandon Jodouin (@BrandonJodouin) August 11, 2017
Wow! Congrats to Denis Shapovalov! You outplayed one of the greats. Not tonight Rafa. Blame Canada.βπΎ#RogersCup π₯
β michael epps (@michael_epps) August 11, 2017
And Shapovalov celebrates #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/lvhyxAQ0p6
β Danny Reichert (@DannyReichertNY) August 11, 2017
#Shapovalov πΎ
β Alex Belzile (@Belz_63) August 11, 2017
Shapovalov will look to carry the momentum from his win over a legend into his quarter-final match on Friday.
Rafael Nadal explains why losing to Denis Shapovalov is his worst loss of the year, says he made too many mistakes on important points and explains why the 18-year old Canadian has great potential.
