Canada claimed the third and last edition of the ATP Cup in January, beating Spain 2-0 to lift the trophy. Thus, Canada joined Serbia and Russia on the list of champions. The Canadians made a slow start and lost 3-0 to the USA.
They raised their level and defeated Great Britain in the deciding doubles encounter to keep their chances alive. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov secured a place in the last four with a victory over Germany, facing the defending champion Russia.
The young pair ousted Daniil Medvedev and Roman Safiullin in the deciding doubles match to book a place in the title clash against Spain. Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime toppled Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut to wrap up the title for Canada and start a massive celebration ahead of the season’s first Major.
Canada secured the third edition of the ATP Cup in Sydney.
Shapovalov ousted Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 38 minutes in the first match to push Canada in front. The Canadian fended off eight out of nine break chances and secured three breaks from six opportunities to seal the deal in straight sets.
Denis fended off five break chances in the encounter’s opening game and brought it home with a volley winner after 14 minutes. Pablo saved two break points in game two, and they both served well from game six to stay neck and neck.
Shapovalov secured a break at 15 in game ten after Carreno Busta’s forehand error for 6-4 in 54 minutes. The younger player gained a boost and painted a backhand winner in the second set’s fourth game to open a massive gap.
Carreno Busta pulled the break back in game seven when Shapovalov sprayed a forehand error. However, the Spaniard got broken in the next one after the Canadian’s forehand down the line bullet. Serving for the victory, Denis held at 30 in game nine following a superb defense to propel Canada in front and make things easier for Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The young Canadian defeated the more experienced Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6, 6-3 in two hours and nine minutes in the second match to secure the crown for his country. Felix fired 15 aces and saved ten out of 11 break chances to mount the pressure on the other side.
He broke Bautista Agut twice to seal the deal and send his country over the top. Auger-Aliassime had a massive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes thanks to his booming serve. He prevailed in the decisive moments to start an enormous celebration with his teammates.
The Canadian defended five break chances at 3-4 in the opening set and closed it with a smash winner for a massive hold. Felix won the tie break 7-3 after Roberto’s forced error to wrap up a grueling opener in an hour and 25 minutes!
Auger-Aliassime held at love in the second set’s seventh game with an ace and kept the pressure on the other side. He broke Bautista Agut at 15 in game eight to build the crucial advantage and sealed the deal with a hold at 15 a few minutes later to celebrate the title at the last ATP Cup.
