Canada has advanced to the semifinals at the Davis Cup Finals.
Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver defeated Australia’s John Peers and Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-4 in the winner-take-all doubles match on Thursday.
“As soon as we decided the team, from the first point we were just going maximum intensity, energy, focus,” said Pospisil. “We came very focused.”
Pospisil, ranked 150th in the world in singles after missing the first half of 2019 following off-season back surgery, is now 4-1 at the Finals.
Shapovalov missed an opportunity to clinch the tie for Canada, falling 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to Alex de Minaur of Australia in the second singles match. “Kind of took my foot off the gas after the first set, plus he took his game to another level,” said Shapovalov.
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Earlier, Pospisil defeated Millman 7-6 (7), 6-4.
The quarterfinal victory guarantees Canada will be in the 2020 Finals. The four semifinalists do not have to go through qualifying.
Shapovalov’s loss was Canada’s first in six singles matches at the event. De Minaur, 3-0 in singles at the tournament, broke Shapovalov to take a 6-5 lead in the third set and finished off the Canadian on his second match point.
Pospisil was a late addition to Canada’s starting lineup for its opening tie against Italy with Felix Auger-Aliassime making his way back from an ankle injury.
While Canada has said Auger-Aliassime could play, team captain Frank Dancevic elected to ride the hot hand in Pospisil against Australia.
Pospisil has been the surprise star of the event, building momentum off some solid results on tour in recent months. The Davis Cup was first played in 1900 and Canada made its first appearance in 1913. Canada reached the World Group semifinals in 2013.
The competition is using a new format this year with the six group winners and the next two best teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The final is set for Sunday.
