Teenage Shapovalov proves he belongs in the big league

NEW YORK — Night matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium can get a little rowdy, but for Denis Shapovalov, Wednesday evening was a dream come true.

"I was enjoying it," he said. "I noticed a couple of guys had a little bit too much to drink. I mean, some of them were standing and, like, just talking to me as if we're buddies. I was up a break in one game, I think it was probably 40-15, I just miss a backhand. He's like, Aah, no.

"I'm like, Don't worry, man, I got this."

The 18-year-old Canadian had to get through qualifying to get here, and is making the most of his US Open debut. His second-rounder against No. 8-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had all the makings of an upset.

And an upset it was, with the No. 69-ranked qualifier winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

He has lost just one set in five matches in New York.

"I was just taking it all in," Shapovalov said. "It's a dream come true to me to play night match over here on Arthur Ashe. So for me it was fun. Obviously it's not easy to play under these conditions. But I managed to put a positive spin on it."

The world is certainly taking notice of the teenage phenom, who reached the semifinals in Montreal earlier this month with wins over Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal.

"I think every win that I've been going through, it's been securing anyone's doubts or even my own doubts, whether or not I belong," Shapovalov said. "So this win, it's definitely another confidence boost. It shows that Montreal wasn't a fluke week. To do it back-to-back, it's not easy. I've had to go through qualifying, which is also stacked with super tough players.

"So I'm extremely proud of myself for how long I've come."