Canada’s Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime open with wins at US Open qualifier
NEW YORK — Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime won their first-round qualifying matches Tuesday at the US Open.
Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Denis Kudla while Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal defeated Japan’s Hiroki Moriya 6-3, 6-3.
“It’s a first for me, playing at my first pro Grand Slam,” the 17-year-old Auger-Aliassime said on a conference call. “Right now I’m just really enjoying the moment.”
The 69th-ranked Shapovalov is seeded second in the qualifying draw after his breakout performance at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. The 18-year-old defeated Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro en route to a semifinal appearance.