Canada has defeated Australia to claim their first ever Davis Cup title as Denis Shapovalov and Félix Auger-Aliassime powered past opponents Thanasi Kokkinakis and Alex De Minaur at the final in Malaga.
Australia was looking for a 29th Davis Cup title, and first since 2003 but it would not eventuate as Canada ended their own 122—year wait to hold their trophy high.
After Shapovalov played near faultless tennis to overpower Kokkinakis 6-2, 6-4 in the opener it was left to De Minaur to try and emulate some of the heroics Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt was famous for during his career.
The rising Canadian star only needed a break in each set, but things could have gone very differently if De Minaur had been able to take advantage of his opportunities.
For Canada and himself, Auger-Aliassime called the triumph a “dream come true.”
“These guys around me — we grew up together from the ages of 7-8 years old back in Canada dreaming about being on this stage of winning these types of matches and winning Davis Cup,” Auger-Aliassime said.
“It’s a great moment for myself and the country.”
Hewitt said the loss was devastating for the Australian team.
“I’m gutted for the boys. They’ve put in the commitment and the work and done absolutely everything right all year,” Hewitt said.
“They left it all out there once again; we came up slightly short, but I couldn’t be prouder — and all of Australia should be proud.”
Source: ABC News
