6 Jan 2019

Mega Monday to kick off Men's Week

by ASB Classic
Mega Monday to kick off Men's Week

Tennis prodigy Denis Shapovalov will headline Monday’s evening session at the ASB Classic.
 
The 19-year old Canadian sensation is continuing to make an impression on the ATP tour, his explosive style of play propelling him up the rankings, seeing him reach a high of world number 23 in June, becoming the youngest player to be ranked in Top 25 since Richard Gasquet in 2005.
 
Known as one of the most energetic and exciting players on the Tour, Shapovalov takes on Portuguese Joao Sousa who comes with his own impressive resume winning his third ATP tour title in Estoril. Sousa is currently ranked 44 but has been as high as 28 so this match won’t be a walkover for the Shapovalov camp.
 
Fans can enjoy double the action with the Bryan brothers scheduled to play after the Shapovalov match.

Mike and Bob are the most successful doubles pairing in the history of the sport. They’ve won more ATP titles than any other doubles pairing, a total of 114 together and the American brothers are looking to dominate the doubles game again in 2019.

The chest pumping brothers will no doubt entertain the crowd with their wizardry on court!

Not to be upstaged, our very own doubles specialists will get their first hit out of the tournament tomorrow, scheduled to play during the day session. Artem Sitak returns home in top form reaching a career high doubles ranking of 32 in the world in September. The Kiwi teams up with American Austin Krajicek and will face Kiwi wildcard combo Ajeet Rai and George Stoupe.

There’ll be another New Zealand connection confirmed for tomorrow’s day session, ex pat Kiwi Cam Norrie who returns to his former home in career best form.

23-year old Norrie reached a career high ranking of 66 in the world in August after reaching two ATP quarter-finals (Shenzhen, Eastbourne) and three ATP semi-finals (Los Cabos, Atlanta and Lyon). Norrie also beat his first top ten player in 2018, taking down world number ten John Isner in Lyon.

Tomorrow he’ll take on Frenchman Benoit Paire in a place that he still calls home.

 

Screen Shot 2019 01 06 at 8.09.38 PM

Share