Davis Cup | Félix Auger-Aliassime propels Canada to the quarter-finals

(Valence) Félix Auger-Aliassime can say mission achieved. He made brief work of Miomir Kecmanovic on Saturday afternoon, propelling Canada to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup on the identical time.

Auger-Aliassime confirmed the Maple Leaf’s development to the subsequent spherical with a 6-3, 6-4 victory within the second singles match of the day, quickly leveling the Canada-Serbia duel at 1-1 within the group stage.

“The best way I offered myself, and getting the win, it is superb for me personally. I’m very completely happy for the workforce. Ultimately, I had a little bit of strain on my shoulders, to be able to get the win, to get the win for Canada. So it felt good,” he added.

To forestall Auger-Aliassime from enjoying a second doubleheader in as many days, Canadian workforce captain Frank Dancevic changed him with Alexis Galarneau for the last word doubles match in opposition to Kecmanovic and Filip Krajinovic, in finish of the day. Galarneau was paired along with his compatriot Vasek Pospisil for the event.

Pospisil then made the choice to withdraw from the doubles match as Canada trailed 1-2 within the first set, because of an damage he had been carrying round for the reason that day earlier than of their singles match in opposition to England. ‘Spanish Roberto Bautista Agut.

However no matter. Canada is assured to advance to the subsequent spherical in November in Malaga, Spain.

Canada is now 2-1 in Group B, the identical as Serbia. Spain comply with at 1-1, whereas South Korea languishes in final place with a 0-2 file.

In singles, Auger-Aliassime exploited his highly effective serve to file 13 aces in opposition to Kecmanovic, who was cleared on this class. The 22-year-old tennis participant was additionally extra opportunistic than the Serb in a break scenario, changing two of his 4 break factors. Compared, his opponent couldn’t steal the Quebecer’s serve in two alternatives.

Auger-Aliassime, who had achieved a feat the day earlier than by disposing of world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, thus broke the unhealthy spell in opposition to Kecmanovic. The latter, 33^e racket, now compiles a 2-1 profession file in opposition to Auger-Aliassime, 13^e participant on the earth.

Earlier Saturday, Quebecer Gabriel Diallo misplaced 6-2, 6-2 to Laslo Djere within the first singles match of the conflict between the 2 nations.

It was the primary sport for Diallo, a six-foot-seven, 198-pound 334-rated large^e on the earth, on this competitors. And it was fairly a baptism of fireside.

Diallo received this chance to shine following Dancevic’s determination to relaxation Pospisil. He did not get the anticipated outcome, however that did not cease Diallo from being on cloud 9 after the sport.

“It was an honor to be chosen by my nation. As I mentioned earlier than, I had dreamed of this second since my early childhood. I used to be tremendous grateful to be right here. They trusted me and supplied me an important sport. Clearly, I didn’t get the outcome I hoped for, however I’ll redouble my efforts and attempt to be taught as many classes as attainable for the long run, ”mentioned the principle occasion.

Djere, who’s 66^e on the earth, took benefit of the inexperience of his 20-year-old opponent, a strong puncher, to simply overcome after an hour and 5 minutes of play on the cement of the Pabellon Fuente de San Luis in Valencia, Spain .

The consultant of the maple leaf notably let slip his three break factors in opposition to Djere, who transformed 4 in seven events. Diallo additionally managed a single ace, and dedicated three double faults. His rival recorded three aces, and was restricted to a single double fault.

However, Diallo just isn’t offended. He gained the Granby match final month, beating China’s Juncheng Shang 7-5, 7-6 (5) within the remaining. He was additionally ousted within the second spherical of the qualifying match for the Nationwide Financial institution Open.

The Netherlands lead their group

Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor every gained their singles match in opposition to People Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul to make sure the Netherlands completed high of their group.

Van de Zandschulp sealed the end result of the duel by taking the measure of Fritz, 12^e world participant, 6-4, 7-6 (3) after Griekspoor set the tone for the conflict by beating Paul 7-5, 7-6 (3).

The Dutch thus secured an insurmountable 2-0 lead, setting the stage for a meaningless doubles match.

America and the Netherlands had been already assured to achieve the quarter-finals, after they recorded two wins every in Group D. The Dutch will now face the nation who will end second in Group C, c ie Australia or Germany.

The People can have an appointment with the winners of group A, most likely the Italians. They may face Sweden in Bologna on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Croatia led 2-0 in opposition to Argentina. It was his second victory of the match, having misplaced to Italy within the competitors’s first spherical.

France defeated Belgium 2-1 in Group C, the place Australia and Germany had been already assured a spot within the quarter-finals.