Team Canada is in the final of the 2022 ATP Cup from Sydney, Australia. On Friday night and Saturday morning in Canada, (Saturday in Australia), Canada defeated Russia two matches to one, and will now face Spain in the final.
The Canadian star in the semifinal was Denis Shapovalov of Toronto, Ontario, who defeated Roman Safiullin of Russia, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Even though Shapovalov was the heavy favourite, Safiullin played exceptional tennis. The inexperienced Russian forced a third set even though he was ranked 153 places below Shapovalov in the world rankings.
Then after Auger-Aliassime was steamrolled by world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia, 6-4, 6-0, the 21-year-old from Montreal bounced back and teamed up with Shapovalov for a big win in doubles. They defeated Medvedev and Safiullin, 4-6, 7-5, [10-7].
This will be the second time in four years that Canada will have played Spain in a major men’s team tennis tournament. Spain defeated Canada in the final of the Davis Cup in Madrid in 2019.
There is definitely a lot to be excited at the moment about Canadian tennis. Auger-Aliassime is ranked 11th in the world and Shapovalov is ranked 14th. A victory on Sunday will be one of the most significant moments in the history of Canadian tennis.
