Canadian Denis Shapovalov fought back to defeat Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters 1000.
After dropping the match’s first break of service in the 10th game, giving away the opening set, Shapovalov regained his senses and methodically took the lead in the match.
Shapovalov, 13th seeded in the competition, thus made an appointment with the 17th seed, the American Reilly Opelka, in the next round.
Eventually, the winner of the duel between Shapovalov and Opelka could be called upon to cross swords with the dangerous Rafael Nadal in the round of 16.
Later on Saturday, Shapovalov’s compatriot Leylah Annie Fernandez scored an unlikely victory over American Amanda Anisimova after facing three straight match points.
Fernandez saved them all before winning the second set in the tiebreaker, and eventually benefiting from the retirement of her rival, who said she was ill.
