Montreal Masters second seed Dominic Thiem remained confident that he is in position to win a first ATP match in Canada after five career defeats.
"Oh-and-five is a shocking stat," acknowledged the Austrian of his record of futility in Canada.
And Thiem, winner of the claycourt title in Kitzbuehel on Saturday, will face a tough second-round opener against Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who powered past France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 7-5 in 90 minutes.
Shapovalov, who shocked Rafael Nadal in the third round two years ago on the way to a precocious semi-final appearance, reveled in his return to the scene of that victory.
"It's amazing to be taking this all in," Shapovalov said on Monday.
"I knew this would be a tricky match, but I was confident coming onto court.
"I have great memories from here, I've always wanted to come back and I was pumped."
"I really like the way I'm playing right now, so we'll see."
"It was difficult, but I knew it would be like this against Milos."
- Wawrinka powers through -
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"With six of us on tour, six of us being in the main draw, it was bound to happen," Raonic said philosophically. It's unfortunate it played out that way at home."