Group Canada has constructive reminiscences of taking part in in opposition to Germany within the Davis Cup quarter-finals on the Jose Maria Martin Carpena Enviornment in Malaga, Spain.
The 2 groups met within the final eight two years in the past right here, with Canada eeking out a comeback win 2-1 to kick off a run in Malaga that ended with lifting the Davis Cup trophy for the primary time. Canada and Germany will meet once more in the identical spherical of the competitors on the identical court docket on Wednesday.
“It positively is likely one of the proudest moments, successful [the Davis Cup] in 2022,” Vasek Pospisil instructed the media on Monday within the workforce’s pre-event press convention. “I’ve had a handful in my profession, and I’d put that up there, for certain High 3, if not No. 1, no query about it.”
That title run very almost got here to an finish a few rounds early at Germany’s palms. It was the closest Canada got here to shedding within the Last 8.
Relying on the nominations, which can solely come out simply earlier than the tie on Wednesday, there might be lots of parallels between the 2 encounters.
Denis Shapovalov is projected to face Jan-Lennard Struff as soon as once more, though this time within the second singles match. The German gained in a third-set tiebreak within the 2022 quarter-final once they have been their nation’s No. 2 singles gamers.
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Regardless that Struff gained that match at this similar stage in Malaga two years in the past and leads their total head-to-head 6-3, the Canadian has motive to be assured as he’s arriving on a seven-match successful streak after claiming his first title in 5 years on the Belgrade Open. He’s 12-2 total because the begin of October, whereas Struff has solely gained two matches since Wimbledon.
“[Winning the title in Belgrade] positively provides you lots of confidence,” mentioned Shapovalov. “I’ve been feeling good on these courts, as nicely. Clearly fully completely different circumstances than Belgrade, however for certain taking part in very nicely and really glad to be again, a part of the workforce. I simply hope I may help the workforce as a lot as doable.”
All 4 gamers who contested the decisive doubles match are again as nicely, Pospisil and Shapovalov for Canada, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz for Germany. It’s a secure assumption that the Germans will go together with the identical pair as two years in the past, whereas it’s a little much less clear for Canada.
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Germany’s largest benefit within the tie might come into play if it goes the gap, as their doubles workforce is at the moment one of many hottest on tour. Krawietz and Putz simply gained the ATP Finals, reached the ultimate of the US Open in September, and have been a dominant power within the Davis Cup since first becoming a member of forces in 2021, boasting an astounding 14-1 file.
Nonetheless, that one loss? To Shapovalov and Pospisil within the 2022 quarter-final on this similar court docket in Malaga.
When requested if successful the 2 singles matches can be much more vital for Canada due to the German power in doubles, Shapovalov mentioned, “we all know they’ve a very good doubles workforce. Clearly successful two singles is the precedence, however with the format, it’s at all times extraordinarily tough. A whole lot of these ties come right down to the doubles. Me and Vasek beat them the final time we went up in opposition to them. We consider in ourselves if it comes right down to that. The very best-case situation is that we win 2-0, however it’s robust to at all times hope for that.”
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As for the 2024 conflict, workforce captain Frank Dancevic gave his evaluation.
“Their video games swimsuit this floor. They’ve huge serves. They’re skilled gamers. They’ve a very good doubles workforce. Any workforce that’s right here within the quarterfinals goes to be a really robust workforce to beat. We simply should be on. We’ve to be taking part in nicely. All the fellows should be taking part in nicely to provide ourselves an opportunity to win. That’s simply how it’s at this stage of the sport. Our job is to give attention to ourselves, and whoever we play, whether or not we play Germany or Spain or Australia, it doesn’t matter. We give attention to what we now have to do and attempt to get our workforce to be taking part in in addition to doable going into the primary match.”
Canada and Germany will contest their quarter-final on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with play getting underway at midday in Spain, 6:00 am EST in Canada.
Remembering Rafa
For anybody on-site in Malaga, and even actually following the protection of the Davis Cup Finals, one individual is dominating the scene.
Rafael Nadal.
The Spanish celebrity is taking part in his remaining occasion this week in Malaga, bringing an finish to his legendary profession. Throughout Canada’s press convention, Shapovalov was requested what he considered Nadal’s pending retirement in Malaga.
“It’s going to be very emotional and I believe very dramatic within the sense of it’s going to imply quite a bit to everybody,” answered the Canadian. “I believe he’s left a giant imprint on all tennis gamers and folks world wide on the whole, so positively hoping the very best, want him the very best, and I hope he can have good things going ahead after tennis.”
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Shapovalov was additionally requested about his favorite reminiscences taking part in in opposition to Nadal, which he did six instances on tour, to which the Canadian quipped, “beating him?” with fun. He then went on to say:
There was lots of good moments, good matches between me and Rafa. Clearly some I’ve gained; most I’ve misplaced [Nadal leads the head-to-head 4-2]. It’s been enjoyable to go up in opposition to him and battle. I believe among the best matches or most entertaining matches we performed was in Australian Open, the 5 units within the quarterfinals [in 2022]. It was positively a particular match for the each of us.
Taking part in him, beating him on clay was additionally an important reminiscence, a particular reminiscence for me, as nicely. Additionally on condition that the yr earlier than I had two or three match factors in opposition to him and I misplaced that match. I believe he’s left a loopy imprint on the sport of tennis. I bear in mind watching him once I was only a child, cleansing up all of the tournaments, successful a lot. It’s positively loopy what he’s been in a position to obtain. I believe not only for a tennis participant however for any athlete, it’s insane. It’s positively very particular.”
If Canada beats Germany and Spain defeats the Netherlands on Tuesday, the 2 nations would meet within the semifinals of the Davis Cup. Nonetheless, since Shapovalov is the Canadian No. 1, he couldn’t play Nadal in singles.
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Viewers can watch Group Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals and Davis Cup Last 8 ties at no cost on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports activities app, and CBC Sports activities’ official YouTube channel. The ties may also be obtainable in French, as TVA Sports activities and TVA Sports activities Direct can be displaying Canada’s matchups, in addition to all semifinals and finals.