TOKYO — Francis Tiafoe smashed his racket after losing to qualifier Malton Fukkovis in the first round of the Japan Open on Wednesday, but Dennis Shapovalov suffered an upset loss.
The eighth seeded Tiafoe struggled with his first serve in a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 defeat to Hussovic shortly after the Hungarian sealed the victory with the winner of the forehand, slamming his racket on the court’s surface.
Tiafoe ranked 29th in the rankings. This was the fourth consecutive loss for the Americans after a third loss to Jean Leonard Stref at the US Open in both matches with the Czech Republic in this month’s Davis Cup qualifiers.
Fucsovics will then perform either Jordan Thompson or Brandon Nakashima in the second round at Tokyo.
Seventh seed Shapovalov lost 7-5, 6-3 to Daniel Altmeier.
