FElix Auger-Aliassime dropped back onto the baseline and waited for his teammates to come running from the Canadian bench before he jumped on him. A few minutes later, Canada managed to lift the Davis Cup… al fin.
“I think that all of us here have dreamed of this moment.Auger-Aliassime said.
Canada won the crown for the first time on Sunday, beating Australiawith wins for Denis Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime.
Auger-Aliassime secures the crown by beating Alex de Miaur 6-3, 6-4. Shapovalov had started the day with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Seven years after leading Canada to the top of junior tennis, Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov and their teammates guided her to the conquest of the most relevant team competition in the world.
“We wanted to grow and be a part of this team and try to help the country win its first title.” Shapovalov said. “Now everything seems surreal.”
Shapovalov had lost both of his singles matches this week and required treatment on his back on Saturday during a three-set semifinal loss to Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
That duel lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes.
But on Sunday, the lefty moved quickly up the court and hit angled shots to get points and take a 4-0 lead in the first set.
Auger-Aliassime then finished his superb second half of the season and completed a perfect week in Spain. Twice he had kept the Canadians alive after Shapovalov lost the first singles match.
Australia were seeking their 29th title and their first since current captain Lleyton Hewitt was part of the team that won in 2003.
