Denis Shapovalov advanced to the Round of 16 at the Japan Open with a commanding 7-5, 6-1 victory over Japan's Sho Shimabukuro on Thursday. The 27-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ontario struck 11 aces and committed only two double faults in the win, which improved his season record to 19-19.
Shapovalov bounces back after Chengdu loss
Shapovalov's Japan Open win came just days after he fell to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the Chengdu Open semifinals on Monday. In that match, the seventh-seeded Canadian fired 14 aces but lost 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-3 after two hours and 27 minutes. Hurkacz, seeded fifth at the ATP 250 event in China, saved all three break points he faced and won 85 per cent of his first-serve points to improve to 6-1 against Shapovalov.
Shapovalov had reached the Chengdu semifinals by defeating France's Adrian Mannarino 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Sunday. That victory marked his 250th ATP Tour-level win, making him the third Canadian man to reach that milestone after Milos Raonic and Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Next opponent at Japan Open
Shapovalov will face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 16 at the Japan Open. The winner is likely to encounter top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz advanced with a 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1 win over American Alex Michelsen and will next face Italy's Matteo Arnaldi.
Sources
- Sportsnet.ca: Canada's Shapovalov cruises past Shimabukuro into Round of 16 at Japan Open. Published October 1, 2026.
- CTV News: Canada's Shapovalov falls to Hurkacz in Chengdu Open semifinal. Published September 28, 2026.
- CBC: Denis Shapovalov fires 14 aces but falls to No. 5 Hubert Hurkacz in Chengdu Open semifinal. Published September 28, 2026.
- ATP Tour: Adrian Mannarino sinks former champ Shang Juncheng, Denis Shapovalov earns 250th win in Chengdu. Published September 24, 2026.
Reported from public sources.