Canada are one step away from elimination in the Davis Cup semi-finals by virtue of Denis Shapovalov’s loss to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Saturday in Malaga, Spain.
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The 18th racket in the world once again lost the opening singles match, having been defeated by Jan-Lennard Struff in the previous round against Germany. Unable to capitalize on his service break opportunities, Shapovalov was beaten in three sets 7-6(4), 6-7-(5), 6-4.
Sonego, 45th in the ATP rankings, needed 3 h 14 min to overcome “Shapo”, who hung on somehow. The latter was only able to convert one of the 13 break points offered by the Italian.
The Ontarian could have snatched the second set much more easily, but it was his sixth set point, in the tiebreaker, which finally secured his small victory. Down 5-2 at the start of this extra game, Shapovalov remained very calm to come back and win the next five points.
Having sought the help of an athletic therapist in the third set, the Canadian had a lot more difficulty with his serve during this set. He committed nine double faults to give victory on a silver platter to Sonego.
Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime will once again have the responsibility of keeping Canada alive by taking on Lorenzo Musetti. This will be the first duel between the two young men, who respectively occupy the sixth and 23rd ranks.
A doubles match will decide between the two countries in the event of victory by “FAA”.