WATCH: "Air Shapo" strikes in Tokyo in win over Chung

In a treat of a first-round match, 19-year-old Denis Shapovalov defeated 2017 Next Gen Finals champion Hyeon Chung in Tokyo, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

Shapovalov's matches usually feature a few hot-shot highlights, and his showdown against the 22-year-old Australian Open semifinalist was no exception.

Early in the second set, the Canadian quickly won a point with a serve to Chung's backhand, followed by a jumping one-hander to crush the ball crosscourt.

It's what Shapovalov himself calls  "Air Shapo."

Later, in the deciding set, Chung hit a damaging serve and tried to end the point on his second strike, but Shapovalov somehow saved it by goaltending a backhand to neutralize the rally and eventually come in to seal the point with a smash. He went on to win the third set 6-2.

Shapovalov plays the winner of Stan Wawrinka and Taylor Fritz.