Shapovalov was incredibly good (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Denis Shapovalov may only be 18 but boy oh boy is he a serious player.

Johanna Konta splits with coach Thomas Hogstedt

It might be too soon to say he can win this US Open but after his utterly brilliant dismantling of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and considering his placement in a weak bottom half of the draw, the quarter-finals look a very real possibility and from there, who knows?

Light on his feet, with a booming serve, frighteningly unpredictable and dangerous off both wings, Shapovalov is the real deal.

Tsonga had no answers (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Shapovalov is an exciting prospect (Picture: AFP/Getty)

If back-to-back wins over Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal in Montreal didn’t provide a big enough warning to the ATP Tour, this comprehensive 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-3) defeat of the eighth seed surely will – the left-hander has everything to reach the top of the sport.




Currenty ranked at 69th in the world, the 18-year-old had only played three Tour-level matches – including an impressive win over Nick Kyrgios as a wildcard in Toronto – ahead of this year and his meeting with Tsonga was only his third Grand Slam main draw match.

Shapovalov is a serious talent (Pictur: AFP/Getty)

Tsonga was ousted (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

The United States Tennis Association surprisingly didn’t offer him a wildcard for the main draw, so he did it all himself.

Shapovalov stormed through qualifying before destroying Daniil Medvedev in round one to book himself a spot under the lights on the showpiece court in New York.

And Tsonga suffered a similar fate as those who had gone before him as young Denis Shapovalov made sure his name will be the talk of the town in New York.

He started it as he meant to go on, breaking Tsonga early and racing to a 6-4 lead over the world No. 12.

What was particularly impressive was his ability to play the big points well. After breaking with his first opportunity in the opener, he saved a chance from Tsonga with a booming serve and even bigger forehand before converting his second break point at the match on his way to a two-set lead.

With the experienced Frenchman unable to come up with the answers, Shapovalov broke again as he looked to have done enough.

Tsonga fought until the end (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Shapovalov got the job done (Picture: Getty)

Tsonga, to his credit, fought until the last and broke the youngster – who perhaps understandably had a few nerves – back when he was serving for the match.

But it was only a temporary stay of execution as the Canadian won the tiebreak and booked himself an intriguing third-round clash with Great Britain’s last remaining hope Kyle Edmund.

MORE: Alexander Zverev down and OUT of the US Open after shock Borna Coric defeat