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|Photo: Peter Staples/ATP Tour||Photo: Mauricio Paiz|Photo: Mauricio Paiz

Playing in just her third match since mid-March and feeling pain free for the first time in months, Eugenie Bouchard tried her best to rally from behind. However, she ultimately lost her opening-round match to World No. 59 Tamara Zidansek 6-3, 5-7, 8-6.

Early on, Genie showed flashes of brilliance. After both Bouchard and Zidansek traded a couple break points, trailing in the set 4-3, the Montrealer did all she could to hold serve. She managed to save break point, before a couple of unforced errors allowed Zidansek to go up a break and serve out the set.

But in the second set, the 25 year old fought back. Having given up a couple break points and trailing 3-0 in the second set, Genie got on the aggressive. Thanks to some timely winners from the Canadian combined with some forced errors from her Slovenian opponent, Bouchard tallied two break points on her way to winning four games in a row. Then, leading 6-5, Genie hit a huge forehand return winner en route to scoring a third break to force a third and decisive set.

Once there, the Canadian didn’t make it easy on herself. Facing a little déjà vu, trailing 4-1 in the third set, she hit a perfect lob shot before Zidansek sent a two-handed backhand into the net giving Bouchard her second break point of the set. Genie would then win four straight points in the Slovenian’s next service game to level things at 4. But, with the set tied at 6, Zidansek would score a timely break point before holding serve to win the match.

Despite the loss, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist showed a lot of fight. All together, between the two players, there was 19 breaks of serve.

The match was also Bouchard’s first since losing to France’s Fiona Ferro in a qualifier at the Eastbourne International less than two weeks ago. It was the only grass-court event she played leading up to this year’s third Grand Slam.

Prior to that, Bouchard had an abdominal injury that also prevented her from playing any kind of warm-up event leading into Roland-Garros. Although she won’t be happy with her latest result, she did say coming into Wimbledon that she was feeling pain free for the first time in months.

Denis upset by Berankis at All England Club

Photo: Mauricio Paiz

Denis Shapovalov had his moments but he ultimately fell in straight sets to Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis 7-6(0), 6-4, 6-3.

The 20-year-old Canadian got off to a slow start. After both players held serve to force a first-set tiebreak, a couple double faults from Denis helped Berankis score four mini-breaks en route to taking the tiebreaker 7-0. In total, Shapovalov managed to hit 12 more winners than his Lithuanian opponent in the opening set, but he also committed 11 unforced errors.

In the second set, the No.29-seeded Canadian did all he could to try and level the match. Trailing 5-4, Shapovalov fought off a couple set points before Berankis hit a great forehand passing shot to grab a break point and close out the second set.

Despite trailing 0-2, Denis never stopped fighting. In the opening game of the third set, Shapo did his best to try and score an early break. But after the eighth deuce of the game, the Lithuanian managed to hold serve. Leading 4-3, Berankis would later score a break point thanks a backhand winner before serving out the match.

Afterwards, in spite of his latest setback, Shapovalov spoke with TSN’s Mark Masters about being motivated by the success of his friend and countryman Félix Auger-Aliassime.

Shapovalov totaled 40 winners in the match – 15 more than Berankis. But it was his 33 unforced errors that were his undoing on Tuesday.

Despite experiencing some struggles over the last few months, the No. 29-seeded Canadian came in with some positive results. In the lead up to Wimbledon, Denis won all three of his matches at the Boodles exhibition – including a straight sets victory against the defending Wimbledon champion, Novak Djokovic.

Denis was also one of three players from Canada seeded in the men’s singles main draw at Wimbledon. It’s marked the first time ever that there have been three or more Canadians seeded in a Grand Slam tournament.

Brayden falls in Wimbledon debut

Photo: Mauricio Paiz

Facing an experienced opponent, Brayden Schnur couldn’t find a way to advance beyond the first round at the All England Club. Making his Grand Slam main draw and Wimbledon debuts, the 23 year old from Pickering fell in straight sets to Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Despite notching nearly as many winners (30) as his opponent (31), Schnur couldn’t find a way to get past the 34-year-old Baghdatis. The Canadian managed to save 11 of 16 break points, but converted just one of his seven break point opportunities.

Schnur advanced to his first career Grand Slam after winning the Lucky Loser draw. He was given his spot after Borna Coric withdrew from the tournament on Saturday. Although he likely won’t be pleased with the result, the Canadian newcomer can add this accomplishment to his growing list in 2019. Earlier in the year, Schnur reach his first ATP final in February at the New York Open. He achieved the result as a qualifier. It’s also worth noting that Schnur’s main draw appearance pushed the number of Canadian men to five at this Grand Slam, tying the record for the most all-time.

(Photo: Mauricio Paiz)

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