Shapovalov and Haas awarded Wimbledon wildcards

[June 21, 2017]    By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Junior champion Denis Shapovalov was awarded a wildcard for next month's Wimbledon championships on Wednesday despite earlier this year being disqualified for striking an umpire with a ball.

Canada's Denis Shapovalov celebrates winning his first round match against Great Britain's Kyle Edmund Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien Livepic

The 18-year-old, winner of the junior title last year, was one of 10 wildcards named by Championships Referee Andrew Jarrett for the singles main draws, with six still up for grabs.

German veteran Tommy Haas, playing his last season on Tour, was also given a wildcard. The 39-year-old former world number two stunned 18-times grand slam champion Roger Federer in Stuttgart last week to reach the quarter-finals.

Haas played his first Wimbledon 20 years ago and reached the semi-finals in 2009, when he lost to Federer.

Canadian Shapovalov, ranked 193, made headlines earlier this year when he was disqualified for striking umpire Arnaud Gabas in the eye with a ball after hitting it aimlessly toward the crowd during a Davis Cup tie against Britain.

That incident in February came against Britain's Kyle Edmund, whom Shapovalov beat at Queen's Club this week.

On the women's side, Britain's former junior Wimbledon champion Laura Robson received a wildcard as she continues to battle back up the rankings after wrist injuries.

Britain's Heather Watson, who has slumped down the rankings from a career-high 38, was included on the list.

More wildcards will be announced later this week.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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