Sports
Denis Shapovalov, who enjoyed the biggest win of his young career by defeating hard-hitting Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, will be Rafa's next opponent.
Updated : Aug 10, 2017, 09:31 AM IST
Roger Federer needed less than an hour to defeat Canadian Peter Polansky 6-2 6-1 at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Wednesday in his first appearance since winning a record eighth Wimbledon title in July.
Gael Monfils produced the comeback of the day to beat Kei Nishikori in three sets while Canada's Denis Shapovalov enjoyed the biggest win of his young career by defeating hard-hitting Argentine Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 7-6(4).
A day after celebrating his 36th birthday, Federer played the aggressive game that has propelled him to five titles, including two grand slams, this year, attacking the net and rocketing second serves. Polansky never looked comfortable after he double faulted twice in his first service game and had difficulty handling Federer's pinpoint serves.
Federer, who has lost only two of 34 matches this year, will next play Spain's David Ferrer who prevailed in a three-setter against American Jack Sock 7-6(7) 3-6 6-1.
Rafael Nadal enjoyed an easy rout of Croatia's Borna Coric as he raced through the first set in just 29 minutes and did not face a break point until the 13th game. "At the beginning of the match there were great points. I think I started playing so well in the first set and in general, I played a great match" Nadal told reporters of the 6-1 6-2 win. "Last time that I played against him I lost, last year in Cincinnati. It was not an easy round for me."
Nadal will next face the 18-year-old Shapovalov who pumped his fists and rose his arms in triumph after dispatching the 2009 U.S. Open champion, who struggled with the accuracy of his serve during big moments in the match.
A Del Potro double fault put Shapovalov up a break at 6-5 in the second set, but nerves appeared to get to the tournament wildcard, who needed a tie-break to prevail. Monfils, however, fended off four match points to beat Japanese world number nine Nishikori in a three-set thriller 6-7(4) 7-5 7-6(6).
The 27-year-old Nishikori had two chances to serve out the match and led 6-2 in the decisive tiebreak, before Monfils won six successive points to complete a superb fightback. He will face Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverez and seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov each needed three sets to advance while ninth seed David Goffin was upset by South Korean Hyeon Chung 7-5 6-3.
Sixth seed Milos Raonic was also upset by Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-4 while American Sam Querrey beat France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 3-6 6-4.
He's 11-0 at @ATPWorldTour Masters 1000 level in 2017, but @rogerfederer insists he's starting from scratch in Montréal...#CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/tJgULa07pe
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Ils ont attendu 6 ans... tout un accueil pour Roger #Federer! #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/I0Un74VFHN
— Coupe Rogers (@CoupeRogers) August 9, 2017
A big Montréal welcome for @rogerfederer, who's back in the city for the first time in six years...#CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/ot04aSEfGT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Pretty in pink.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Federer wraps up the first set in just over 20 minutes.
Watch LIVE : https://t.co/kRsZ9uv0ca pic.twitter.com/C9WXQWrlbL
Some vintage Fed.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Does he look ready for hardcourts?#CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/OC9DBRvswZ
Finished with authority.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Welcome back to @CoupeRogers @rogerfederer! #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/l4zax7K8Jl
Signing off... pic.twitter.com/qTygrDNDVk
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Rafael Nadal is three wins away from returning to world No.1, but how far away did top spot feel this time last year? #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/VEy67coKEC
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
It's @RafaelNadal time, and no one's as ready as his little mascot #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/R2n7Mzl125
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Rafa's rituals are on point, as is his game. #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/U1hQZ9BbkR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
8 consecutive forehands, all slightly different. Or should we say FEARHAND?
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
Watch LIVE : https://t.co/kRsZ9uv0ca pic.twitter.com/HdvfOtdUmE
A near-perfect start for Rafael Nadal, who zooms past Borna Coric in straight-sets. #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/NcQ6O0CKKg
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2017
It's the perfect start to the hardcourt summer for @RafaelNadal.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2017
A command performance against a tricky opponent. #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/uNuFvJS0mS
(Inputs from Reuters)