Tremendous surprise in the second edition of the ATP 250 in Cologne. Denis Shapovalov, who signed a remarkable performance last week on the German track to reach the semifinals, he said Goodbye to the tournament in the round of 16 after falling at the hands of Gilles Simon. The Frenchman, far from being the tennis player who once reached the world top-10, surprised the Canadian in three sets: 6-1, 4-6 and 6-2 in one hour and 56 minutes of the game.
This is how Simon will arrive, full of confidence, to the next round, where another tough obstacle awaits him. It's about Italian Jannik Sinner, brand new quarterfinalist from the past Roland Garros, that easily eliminated Simon's compatriot, Pierre-Hugues Herbert: 6-3 and 6-1. Another who did not give rise to surprises to reach the quarterfinals was the Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who beat Otte, a local player, on the fast track: 6-3 and 6-2.
Raonic advances in Antwerp
Parallel to that of Cologne, the ATP 250 from Antwerp, where this Thursday Milos Raonic certified his presence in the quarterfinals. The Canadian beat in an even clash Cameron Norrie, against whom he signed a whopping 19 aces to win in two sets: 7-5 and 7-6. His next rival, who rested today, will be the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. In the duel of gunboats of the day, Harris reached the quarterfinals at the expense of Fritz by identical score (7-5 and 7-6).