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Canadian Denis Shapovalov crushes Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in Dubai

Struff has been a nemesis for Shapovalov in recent years
The Canadian Press
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Canada’s Denis Shapovalov makes a backhand return to compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andy Brownbill

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Canada’s Denis Shapovalov beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3 in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday.

The third-seeded Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., won 85 per cent of his first-serve points and saved both break points he faced.

Struff, ranked 39th in the world, has been a nemesis for Shapovalov in recent years. The German had won their previous four matches and leads the lifetime series 4-2.

Shapovalov, who got a first-round bye, will face No. 13 seed Hubert Hurcasz of Poland in the third round. Hurcasz beat Richard Gasquet of France 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday at the ATP Tour 500 event.

Hurcasz has a 2-0 career record against Shapovalov.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2021.