Canada enjoys the new Davis Cup format. Three years after the final defeat against Spain, Félix Auger-Aliassime and his compatriots meet Australia this Sunday. A ticket canceled at the end of the suspense against Italy. A semifinal that started with a real showdown between Lorenzo Sonego and Denis Shapovalov. If the Canadian made the entry break in the second set, the Italian used his chance to catch up in the fourth game, then the two players were neutralized until the decisive game. A tie break where Lorenzo Sonego took the lead very quickly and then held it.

The Italian won the last two points on serve from Denis Shapovalov and took the lead in that encounter. The two players were also far apart in the second set, with the first and only break points coming late in game ten, which Denis Shapovalov was unable to complete, which would have offered the second set. The Canadian, who was mauled in the deciding game and led five points to two, then won five straight rallies to restart that meeting. Both players missed break points in the third set. It was Lorenzo Sonego who managed to bring the first point to Italy at the last moment (7-6, 6-7, 6-4 in 3h15′).

Canadian No. 1’s strong performance leads us to a crucial doubles ‼️@feathertennis 🇮🇹 1-1 🇨🇦 @TennisCanada #DavisCup #by Rakuten | @felixtennis pic.twitter.com/YRya9lPXbq

— DavisCup (@DavisCup) November 26, 2022

Auger-Aliassime equalized easily

This allowed Lorenzo Musetti to approach his duel against Félix Auger-Aliassime with a little less pressure on his shoulders. The 23rd in the world has spearheaded Canadian tennis in the first five games. However, when “FAA” was able to roll the Italian back in his face-off, the situation changed. On his second break point, the 6th player in the world made the difference and then led five games to two. Without forcing his talent, Félix Auger-Aliassime sealed the fate of the first set with his second set point. An advantage the Canadian could have consolidated at the start of the second set, but when he put Lorenzo Musetti in trouble he couldn’t afford the slightest opportunity for a break.

The two players were then neutralized with no fewer than four shutouts. However, as soon as Félix Auger-Aliassime was able to score break points, Lorenzo Musetti gave up as in the first round. At the very last moment, the Canadian was able to make the difference and then sealed the fate of the meeting with his signing (6-3, 6-4 in 1h26′). A success that revitalized Canada by opening the door to a crucial double.

The Canadian golden era 🌟

In 2019 @tenniscanada made their debut in the Davis Cup final, three years later they are back again 💪#DavisCup #byRakuten | @felixtennis @VasekPospisil pic.twitter.com/laTAtjXDbe

— DavisCup (@DavisCup) November 26, 2022

“FAA” and Pospisil send Canada to the final

A final meeting for which the two captains changed their plans. In fact, Félix Auger-Aliassime teamed up with Vasek Pospisil as Simone Bolelli made way for Matteo Berrettini alongside Fabio Fognini. A clash that the Italians started with a bang, breaking in game three, but the Canadians held and held back late, equalizing everywhere in three games. From then on, the two pairs didn’t leave the slightest exploitable flaw for the other and declared themselves the decisive game. With two points on their opponent’s serve, the Canadians led from start to finish to win this tiebreak with ease.

Back on the wall, Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini raised their voices, making Vasek Pospisil resign, losing serve a second time. However, the reaction was immediate as the Canadians upped the tempo. As the decisive game drew near, it was the Italians who cracked again, offering Félix Auger-Aliassime the opportunity to serve to finish. The sixth in the world rankings was shaking and had to save two breakpoints with two aces at the right moment. The first match point was good for Canada (7-6, 7-5 in 2h03′), who will have the opportunity to make the ATP Cup-Davis Cup double this Sunday.