In a intently contested decisive doubles match on Saturday, the Canadian pair of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Vasek Pospisil downed the Italian duo of Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini 7-6(2) 7-5 to safe a date with Australia within the Davis Cup closing.
The Canadians might be chasing their first title within the males’s staff competitors once they tackle 28-times champions Australia on Sunday in Malaga, Spain.
Down an early break within the first set, Auger-Aliassime set free a triumphant roar as he transformed a break level with a forehand winner within the sixth recreation and by no means took his foot off the fuel, sealing the tiebreak with an ace.
Auger-Aliassime, sixth within the singles rankings, harnessed his highly effective serve to fend off three break factors within the closing recreation and celebrated with a chest bump with Pospisil, who excelled on the competitors regardless of starting the week with none garments after his luggage had been misplaced en route from a Challenger Tour occasion.
“Davis Cup is always a wild week and I would say the most fun, as a player,” Pospisil mentioned. “We got more to do.”
Auger-Aliassime was introduced in as a last-minute substitution on the doubles staff after compatriot Denis Shapovalov misplaced earlier within the day to Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 6-4 in a bodily punishing marathon match.
“We knew coming this week that we could make some changes depending on how singles went and I just feel like the whole team connected around this idea and there was no ego in the wrong places,” mentioned Auger-Aliassime.
“Everybody just has the clear idea of the main goal, which is lifting the cup tomorrow.”
Earlier within the day, Auger-Aliassime despatched over a dozen aces as he handily beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 6-4 to maintain Canada alive.
On Friday, Australia reached the ultimate for the primary time in 19 years with a 2-1 win over Croatia.
