Davis Cup: Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime secure Canada quarter-final spot

Canada’s top tennis players shut out Finland 3-0 in the Davis Cup on Thursday.

Ontario’s Denis Shapovalov first defeated Eero Vasa in two sets of 7-6 (2), 6-2. Quebec’s Félix Auger-Aliassime followed by defeating Otto Virtanen 6-2, 6-3.

In the doubles match, Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime combined their efforts to dominate Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara in two sets of 6-2, 7-5.

There was an element of revenge in this clash, after Canada lost to Finland in the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament.

“Everyone is in a good mood, so that’s great,” Auger-Aliassime said. “Any motivation is good, but I think it’s a different year, a different time, and [la défaite de l’année dernière] is behind us. This year we have a full team and everyone is playing better than last year. Everyone has improved.”

It’s Canada’s second straight win in Group D, following a 2-1 triumph over Argentina on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs will face Great Britain on Sunday.

Canada’s clean record has ensured it will advance to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup.

This is Canada’s fifth consecutive appearance in the Davis Cup finals, and their only title came in 2022.

The Canadians beat South Korea 3-1 in a Davis Cup qualifier in February in Montreal to reach the group stage of the final.

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