Male tennis is Canada is stronger than ever.
After carrying the burden of hope for Canadian tennis fans for the last six plus years, Milos Raonic might finally have some help.
Last week served as tennis week in Canada, with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) hosting their tournament in Toronto, and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) hosting their tournament in Montreal.
The big story to come out of those tournaments?
The play of 18 year old Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Shapovalov came into the tournament 143rd in the world before making an incredible run to the tournament semi-finals, before losing to eventual champion Alexander Zverev.
The most amazing part about his run is that it could have ended even before it truly started as he faced four match points in his first round match against Rogerio Dutra Silva before coming back to win the match in three sets.
He then knocked out former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round, legend Rafael Nadal in a thrilling third round match and Adrian Mannarino, the man who took down Raonic, in the fourth round, before finally losing to Zverev.
It was an incredible run and a great glimpse into the possible future of a bright young player.
The next question for Shapovalov will be can he continue trending upward?
We have seen this act before with another Canadian player as Vasek Pospisil made an incredible run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2015, and was seemingly getting better and better, before injuries derailed his run.
He has been unable to regain he previous form and after reaching a career high ranking of 25 has steadily slipped back down the ATP rankings, and after a first round exit in Montreal saw his ranking fall to 78.
Fortunately for Shapovalov he is much younger than the 27 year old Pospisil, so he has much more time to grow, and he has a recent track record of success.
While his first professional season has not gone all that well, with just a 7-8 record, Shapovalov is just one year removed from winning the Wimbledon Junior Boys singles title.
The next step for Shapovalov will be to prove that his run in Montreal was no fluke.
The process will start for Shapovalov with the US Open, where despite his ranking climbing 76 spots to number 67 in the world he will need to qualify.
If he can do that, the rest is up to him but either way, at least for the next while, Raonic has some help as the Canadian tennis flag bearer.
