Umpire hit by Shapovalov returns to the chair

Remember this wince-worthy incident where Denis Shapovalov smashed a ball in anger straight into umpire Arnaud Gabas's eye during the Davis Cup back in February? The jaw-dropping incident cost the current world No. 194 the match (and Canada the tie to Great Britain), $7,000 in fines and sent Gabas to the hospital for surgery.

But now, Gabas is healthy and back in the chair, hopefully avoiding any future attacks from laser-like tennis balls.

The umpire made his triumphant return in the Open de Seine-et-Marne women's ITF Pro Circuit $60,000 event in France.

After the accident, the Canadian teenager turned up the heat on the ITF and ATP Challenger circuits, winning a Futures event in Gatineau, and an ATP Challenger in Drummondville, before falling in the final of another ATP Challenger in Guadalajara. He compiled 17 straight wins (not counting his withdrawal from an ITF Futures tournament semifinal).

This week, the 17-year-old fell in the first round of Leon to Liam Broady, ending with a lousy handshake and argument.

But in any case, it looks like both Shapovalov and Gabas have put the Davis Cup incident behind them.

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