Tennis Canada Press Release, September 13, 2024
In the Group Stage of the Davis Cup Finals on Thursday, Team Canada won its second tie, sweeping Finland by a score of 3-0. The Canadian team took revenge on the Finns, who eliminated them from last year’s Finals in Malaga. Canada currently leads Group D ahead of its final tie against Great Britain on Sunday.
Denis Shapovalov was masterful once again and posted the day’s first point for Canada when he outdid Finnish No. 2 and World No. 703 Eero Vasa (7-6(2), 6-2). The Canadian dominated on serve, winning 80 per cent of his points compared to 54 per cent for his opponent, hit 21 winners and demonstrated good control with 30 unforced errors compared to 44 for Vasa.
“I’m really happy with the win – it’s a great start,” Shapovalov said afterwards. “I tightened up a bit, and he raised his level, playing really well in the first set, but I managed to win the tiebreak and then maintain my momentum in the second set. Once I won the first set, I was able to relax and play more freely, which helped me perform at a high level in the second set. It’s definitely great to be back. I put in a lot of work to be healthy. To represent Canada on the court means a lot, and it’s always super fun to be next to these guys. We have such a good team, such a good chemistry. It’s one of the most fun weeks we have on tour in the year. I really enjoy it.”
As for the Canadian No.1 and world No. 21 Félix Auger-Aliassime, he collided with Otto Virtanen. The Finnish No. 1 and world No. 109 had a great run at the 2023 Davis Cup, where he won five of his seven matches including a win in singles and another in doubles against Canada. Like Shapovalov, the Quebecer was solid in his decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory. He hit seven aces, posted only one double fault, converted three of six break opportunities and erased all three of his opponent’s break points.
“I’m feeling great,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It was a perfect day: six sets out of six for the team. Days like this don’t happen all the time, so I’m going to enjoy today, especially playing for Canada. I’m happy with my game, with my match, but we have to reset and get ready for the next tie. We’re in a good position, but Great Britain is a good team. We’ll be playing them at home, and the atmosphere promises to be very good. I hope we can represent our country in the best possible way and win. I’m extremely motivated for Sunday’s match.”
Soon after, Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov were back on the court in doubles against the team who eliminated Canada at last year’s Davis Cup: No.15 Harri Heliovaara, who took home the Wimbledon doubles crown last July, and Virtanen. Relying on their tacit complicity, the Canadians closed things out in two sets (6-2, 7-5), winning 79 per cent of their first serves and 70 per cent of their second serves and breaking their opponents four times.
CANADA WIN!
Despite a break in serve from Finland, Canada managed to get two breaks back and take the second set to secure the victory in this fixture 🇨🇦 #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/h92eOSMNCd
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 12, 2024
“Couldn’t ask for more today, super proud of the team,” Frank Dancevic said. “Denis [Shapovalov] started off the day amazing. It’s never easy to win any match in Davis Cup, and he played solid enough to get through. Félix [Auger-Aliassime] had an amazing performance in singles, and the boys just stepped it up in the doubles. It was phenomenal. It was a clean day, not much more I can ask for as a captain. Great team spirit, amazing bench team spirit, and fans pushing us through the day.”
Team Canada plays its final tie against Great Britain on Sunday to secure a spot in the quarter-finals in Malaga, Spain, this November. The matches will be broadcast live on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Sports’ YouTube channel starting at 1 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET).
