The circle is complete for Canada. In January, the Canadians won the ATP Cup. On Sunday, they triumphed at the Davis Cup for the first time in history. There is no doubt that Canada is the best nation in the world.
Félix Auger-Aliassime has been the child prodigy of the Canadian program since he was 14 years old. The hopes placed in him proved this week, when he was gigantic throughout this final phase of the Davis Cup. Everything had to be done in the ultimate duel against Australia.
After a victory for Denis Shapovalov in the morning, FAA only had to continue their good work against Alex de Minaur to secure the victory for Canada.
PHOTO JOAN MONFORT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Denis Shapovalov
The match had started smoothly for the Quebecer as he faced several break points from the start. Very few of his first balls managed to land in the service box. Which is rather unusual for Auger-Aliassime.
He responded with authority, however, to break his opponent at 4-3 and win the set 6-3 with an ace.
From Minaur, 24e world racket, did not let go. He confronted the Quebecer as few have done this fall. Auger-Aliassime had to overcome three break points in the fifth game of the set to gain momentum.
As in Australia at the start of the year, Auger-Aliassime was imperial at the end of the match. He held on to win 6-4.
Canada got its hands on this century-old trophy for the first time in its history.
Shapovalov got up
Denis Shapovalov was finally able to breathe. After two singles losses against Germany and Italy, the Ontarian put his team in an enviable position in Sunday’s Davis Cup final, beating Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in two sets of 6-2 and 6 -4.
The start of the tournament had been frustrating for Shapovalov. He had played two quality games against Jan-Lennard Struff and Lorenzo Sonego, but he had been unable to make the difference with the magic that we know him.
The lefty was probably saving the best for last. The sunny Shapovalov finally showed up in Malaga, just in time for his most decisive match of the tournament.
He had an appointment with the 95e world racket and Shapo manhandled him from start to finish.
PHOTOJON NAZCA, REUTERS
Thanasi Kokkinakis
The 23-year-old Canadian started the match with brilliant return and serve plays. Quickly, he understood that it was by letting Kokkinakis shoot himself in the foot that he was going to take advantage. More skilful in doubles, the Australian has never been in on it. He accumulated unforced errors while Shapovalov had fun returning all his balls with ease and skill. Kokkinakis recorded more than double his opponent’s unforced errors in the first set, ending 6-2 in favor of the Canadian.
More and more “Let’s go Shapo” sounded as the match progressed and the crowd favorite got comfortable for the first time in the tournament. Shapovalov was playing inspired. He even allowed himself a few crossover and parallel jumping backhands as only he knows how to do them. Kokkinakis was kept alive thanks to his first balls, but the Canadian was on a mission.
He concluded the match with a huge serve on the T that his rival could not bring back. He threw himself into the arms of Vasek Pospisil after the game and the whole bench was in jubilation, because Canada is one victory away from winning the Davis Cup.