Denis Shapovalov started his campaign at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on a winning note Wednesday, defeating Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the Masters 1000 event, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8). This was a special victory for the Canadian: his 200th career win at the tour level. This victory saw him join two very exclusive lists, starting with becoming the fifth man born in 1999 or later to reach 200 wins. He also joined two very exclusive lists with this victory, starting with becoming the fifth man born in 1999 or later to reach 200 wins.
A Milestone For the 1999-Born Generation
MEN BORN IN 1999 OR LATER WITH OVER 200 CAREER WINS (tour level):
- 249: Jannik Sinner (born 2001) (playing the final in Beijing today)
- 242: Alex de Minaur (born 1999)
- 213: Félix Auger-Aliassime (born 2000)
- 202: Carlos Alcaraz (born 2003) (playing the final in Beijing today)
- 200: Denis Shapovalov (born 1999)
He is only the third Canadian to reach the 200 mark in the Open Era.
Canadian Legends
CANADIAN MEN WITH OVER 200 CAREER WINS (tour level, Open Era):
- 383: Milos Raonic
- 213: Félix Auger-Aliassime
- 200: Denis Shapovalov
Vasek Pospisil is the only other Canadian to reach the 100 mark in the Open Era, with a current career total of 136 wins.
Shapovalov's Road to Recovery
Shapovalov was sidelined for the second half of last year with a knee injury. The former world No. 10, Shapovalov dropped out of the Top 100 last year after missing the entire second half of the season with a knee injury. He fell to as low as No. 140 earlier this year, but he has picked up his form in recent months, highlighted by back-to-back third-round performances at both the French Open and Wimbledon, and reaching the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event in Washington DC, and he returned to the Top 100 for the first time this year, at No. 100, a few weeks ago.
He is slightly down to No. 101 this week, but with absolutely no ranking points to defend for the rest of the season, he has a great opportunity to end the year well inside the Top 100.
