Shapovalov noted how the momentum shifted during the opening set of that 2021 encounter.
"I honestly felt like I was outplaying him the majority of the first set and maybe a little bit too confident in that moment, you know he kind of stayed with me, was able to break me back and get that first set, so that killed a little bit of confidence."
He concluded his recollection by acknowledging how the defeat served as a vital learning experience.
"I kind of felt in that moment, like okay I'm outplaying the best grass court player at the moment.
I felt like I could definitely win this match and who knows in the final, anything could happen, so it's definitely one of those experience losses."
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Three other Canadian players remain scheduled for first-round singles action later in the day, including Félix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez, and Bianca Andreescu.
