Canada takes out Russia!

Thanks to the success of Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the decisive double against Daniil Medvedev and Roman Safiullin, Canada got the better of Russia and qualified for the final of the ATP Cup.

Russia will not defend their title in the ATP Cup final! The team led by world number 2 Daniil Medvedev lost to Canada, which will meet Spain this Sunday in the final of the 3rd edition of the national team tournament organized by ATP ahead of the Open. from Australia. In Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, the duel started with the “numbers 2” match between Denis Shapovalov and Roman Safiullin. More incisive from the start, the Canadian took the service of the Russian in the third game. Unperturbed then the 14th in the world concluded the first set on his second opportunity. Roman Safiullin then knew how to round back, dismissing two break points at the start of the second set before being patient to seize his chance. At the gates of the decisive game, the 167th world put under pressure Denis Shapovalov who ended up giving in on his service to find himself embarked in a third set. In turn, the Canadian had to resist in an interminable game and, after having dismissed six break points, held his service. It was in the seventh game that the 14th in the world made the difference before bringing the first point to his team on a shutout (6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in 2h41 ‘).

Medvedev tied the two teams

The setback suffered by Roman Safiullin put enormous pressure on Daniil Medvedev. The world number 2 was to win against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the match of “numbers 1” to keep alive the hopes of a second consecutive title in the ATP Cup. The start of the match between the two players was very tense with none of them giving up any piece of ground. But, after eight games easily won by the server, Daniil Medvedev was able to place a decisive acceleration. Missing a first opportunity to take the service of the 11th world, the Russian insisted and ended up having the last word. In the process, on a shutout, the world number 2 pocketed the first set. The meeting then turned to the sole rider for Daniil Medvedev. Of the five break points he was able to get, the Russian was able to convert three. Untouchable on his own commitment, the leader of the Russian team has chained six consecutive games to fully relaunch his training (6-4, 6-0 in 1h10 ‘), paving the way for a decisive double.

Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov were able to reverse the trend

After each playing a single, the four players came together to decide the fate of this semi-final. Endangered from their first face-off, Daniil Medvedev and Romain Safiullin were able to react to rule out two break points and then seek the service of Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov. The latter then had an opportunity to pick up but without success. The double break, the Russians then missed it five times, the last opportunity even being a first set ball. It is on their commitment that they sealed the fate of the first round. The second was marked by great strength from the two serving teams, with only one break point to report in the first eleven games, in favor of the Canadians in the fourth. However, as a decisive game took shape, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov stepped up to take the Russians’ commitment and tie a set everywhere. The place in the final was therefore played on a super-tiebreak during which the two teams surrendered blow for blow. However, it was the Canadians who ended up taking the upper hand to conclude with their third match point (4-6, 7-5, 10-7 in 1h40 ‘). Canada will therefore meet Spain this Sunday for the ATP Cup final.

TENNIS / ATP CUP 2022
From January 1 to 9 in Sydney (Australia)

SEMI-FINALS
Friday, January 7, 2022
Spain – Poland: 2-1 >>> QUALIFIED SPAIN
Carreno Busta (ESP) bat Majchrzak (POL): 6-2, 6-1
Acute Baptist (ESP) bat Hurkacz (POL) : 7-6 (6), 2-6, 7-6 (5)
Walkow/Zielinski (POL) beat A.Ramos / Martinez (ESP): 4-6, 6-3, 10-6

Saturday, January 8, 2022
Canada – Russia: 2-1 >>> CANADA QUALIFIED
Shapovalov (CAN) bat Safiullin (RUS) : 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Medvedev (RUS) bat Auger-Aliassime (CAN) : 6-4, 6-0
Auger-Aliassime/Shapovalov (CAN) beat Medvedev / Safiullin (RUS): 4-6, 7-5, 10-7

FINALE
Sunday January 9, 2022
7:30 am: Spain – Canada

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