MADRID, November 23, 2019

History has been made, as Canada has reached the final of the Davis Cup for the first time. It took all three rubbers of a semi-final tie against Russia to clinch the win with Vasek Pospisil and Denis Shapovalov’s 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) doubles victory over Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov proving decisive.

Earlier on Saturday at the Caja Magica in Madrid, Rublev put Russia in front beating Pospisil 6-4, 6-4, but Shapovalov bounced back, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against World No. 17 Khachanov.

How Team Canda reacted to the win…@felixtennis | @TennisCanada #RUSCAN #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/BzPyRvaRn4

— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019

“Today was an incredible match,” Pospisil said. “I mean, the doubles, just with the buildup, obviously getting to this moment the last five days, I mean, it took a lot of emotions even just to get to this match. So, I think, just it’s kind of like building, building, building, and every match feels that much more, you know, emotional and like a huge success.

“Obviously it was to win that in the third set tiebreak makes it that much more dramatic and that much more special. It’s pretty incredible to make the finals first time in history for Canada. To do it the way it happened was pretty special to be a part of.”

Shapovalov, who had won eight of his last 10 Davis Cup singles matches for Canada ahead of this tie, including his victories over Matteo Berrettini and Taylor Fritz this week, said: “There’s really no words for it. I don’t think any of us, any of us expected that we could get this far. Obviously, we knew we have a great team. But, you have to have a little bit of luck on your side and just play some ridiculous tennis and play at a ridiculous level. And I think we just absolutely played ridiculous tennis.”