Madrid, Nov. 27 (BNA): Canada won its first Davis Cup title on Sunday, defeating Australia after wins from Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Auger-Aliassime secured the winning point when he beat Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 after Shapovalov opened the day by defeating Tanasi Kokkinakis 6-2, 6-4, reports the Associated Press.
After seven years leading Canada to the pinnacle of junior tennis, Auger Aliassime, Shapovalov, and their teammates finally lifted the first team trophy in their sport. Shapovalov lost both of his singles matches this week and needed treatment on the back during Saturday’s three-set semifinal loss to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego that lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Howver, the left-hander moved quickly around the court on Sunday, cornering winners as he raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set. Auger-Aliassime then capped off an impressive second half of the season by completing a perfect week in Spain. He twice kept the Canadiens alive after Shapovalov lost their opening singles match, and on Saturday he replaced a weary teammate to join Vasek Pospisil for the deciding doubles point.
This time, Auger-Aliassime made sure that the doubles match was not necessary. He fell flat on his back behind the baseline after the winning point before teammates came off the Canadian bench to jump on top of him. Then they got up and danced in a circle.
Canada has only reached the final once, losing to host Spain in Madrid in 2019, when Rafael Nadal beat Shapovalov to seal the winning point after losing to Auger-Aliassime in the opening match. But with Auger-Aliassime having since moved up the rankings to its current position of sixth, the Canadians are an even stronger team now.
They won the ATP Cup in January and finally added a Davis Cup title to the junior Davis Cup title by Auger Aliassime and were captained by Shapovalov in 2015. Australia were trying to win their 29th title and first since current captain Lleyton Hewitt was part of the title-winning team in 2003.
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