Might 2022 be the yr that Canada goes all the best way on the Davis Cup Finals?
Led by World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, the North American nation is now only one tie away from a historic maiden triumph within the group occasion after it secured a semi-final comeback victory towards Italy on Saturday in Malaga.
Auger-Aliassime was the important thing to the Canadian’s 2-1 victory within the tie. Though Lorenzo Sonego moved Italy forward with an epic 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-4 triumph towards Denis Shapovalov within the opening singles rubber, the 22-year-old Auger-Aliassime downed Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4 to degree proceedings in Spain.
Canada captain Frank Dancevic then made a late change to his doubles line-up for the decider, calling up Auger-Aliassime to accomplice Vasek Pospisil towards Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini. The plan labored, because the Canadians broke their opponents’ serve thrice en path to a 7-6(2), 7-5 win that set a remaining conflict on Sunday towards Australia.
“That’s the advantage of having many good gamers on the group,” stated Auger-Aliassime. “I really feel like Denis and Vasek performed rather well yesterday to come back again and win, however Denis had a protracted match, and we knew coming this week that we may make some modifications relying on how singles went.
“I really feel like the entire group linked round this concept and there was no ego within the improper place. Everyone simply has the clear thought of the primary aim, which is lifting the cup tomorrow.”
Canada reached the Davis Cup remaining for the primary time in 2019. On that event, Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov have been crushed by Roberto Bautista Agut and Rafael Nadal, respectively, to fall agonisingly wanting profitable a primary Davis Cup crown for his or her nation.
“Making the finals is all the time an incredible feeling, and I actually imagine on this group,” stated captain Dancevic. “We’ve completed it earlier than, we’re right here once more and I imagine we are able to win this, so we’re going to go after it tomorrow and provides all of it we’ve received.
“The blokes left their hearts and souls out on the court docket as we speak, from the primary ball to the final, as a captain that’s all I may ask for. The boys within the doubles stepped it as much as take this victory.”
What’s the format for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals?
The group stage of the 2022 Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals came about throughout 4 cities — Bologna, Glasgow, Hamburg and Valencia — from 13-18 September. Sixteen nations competed in 4 round-robin teams of 4 groups. The highest two groups in every group superior to the knock-out stage. The knock-out stage is going down in Malaga this week, with the ultimate on Sunday.