Called in as reinforcements at the last minute, Félix Auger-Alaissime was the spark plug for the Canadian team in doubles on Saturday. The Quebecer, flanked by Vasek Pospisil, allowed Canada to reach the Davis Cup final for the second time in its history.
It was not for lack of trying that Denis Shapovalov lost his second singles match of the tournament. Lorenzo Sonego got up at the right time and got the better of the Canadian in a marathon match of 7-6, 6-7 and 6-4.
For nearly 3:15, Shapovalov and Sonego fought a hot battle in the Davis Cup semifinals.
PHOTOJON NAZCA, REUTERS
Denis Shapovalov and Lorenzo Sonego
If the Canadian went like a lion, the Italian never let it go. Both players excelled on serve, return and net. A hard-fought match, as is often the case in the Davis Cup.
If Sonego, 45e world racket, took the first set, Shapo came from behind to serve the Italian his own medicine. Each tiebreaker was played on a thread and few details will have made the difference.
It was the third set that was fatal for Shapovalov, as his serve dropped him for the first time in the game, in the most important game. Fighting for survival at 4-5, he double faulted to hand the game to his opponent.
This is Shapovalov’s second loss in the tournament after his early loss to Jan-Lennard Struff.
Auger-Aliassime too strong for Musetti
All of Canada’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Félix Auger-Aliassime, Saturday at the Davis Cup, after the defeat of his compatriot Denis Shapovalov a few hours earlier. The Quebecer ensured thanks to a 6-3, 6-4 win against Lorenzo Musetti in a game without a future.
The other Lorenzo, Musetti this time, could close the books and send Italy to the final. However, he had quite a challenge ahead of him. Félix Auger-Aliassime, sixth racket in the world, arrived on center court with fire in his eyes. From the start, the twenty-year-old Italian seemed destabilized. The Quebecer’s lethal strikes gave him a lot of trouble, whether on serve or with his famous forehand.
Musetti, who represents one of the best hopes in men’s tennis, still has a hard time joining a player of FAA’s caliber. The Italian was disoriented, short and exhausted. He lost patience several times.
Auger-Aliassime imposed his rhythm and was never really worried. He finished the match with 12 aces and an impressive 91% first-ball win ratio. He had more misses on his second serve, which allowed his opponent to come back stronger at the start of the second set, but the Quebecer’s devastating attacks got the better of Musetti.
The team that wins the doubles duel will get its ticket to face Australia in the final on Sunday.
Auger-Aliassime closes the book
Canada and Italy went all out in the last match of the day. At the last minute, the two best players from each formation were called in to play the doubles. Félix Auger-Aliassime on one side and Matteo Berretini on the other.
Italy and Canada played another extremely tight match 7-6, 7-5 to the advantage of the Canadian duo.