Madrid (AFP)
Canada qualified for first-ever Davis Cup final by beating Russia after Vasek Pospisil-Denis Shapovalov's double win over Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), Saturday in Madrid.
In the final, the Canadians will face Spain's Rafael Nadal Sunday or Britain's Andy Murray. This second semifinal of the new Davis Cup formula was initially scheduled from 5:30 pm (4:30 pm GMT) on Saturday, but will start late due to the length of the Canada-Russia match.
Rublev had brought the first point to Russia dominating Pospisil 6-4, 6-4 in the first singles.
Then Shapovalov had equalized in dominating Khachanov 6-4, 6-4 in the second.
Canada, like Russia, has made its entire journey by having only two players: Felix Auger-Aliassime is in Madrid, but injured, he has so far been able to do more than support very actively his teammates Pospisil and Shapovalov who have won all their matches together.
Canada finished first in Group F beating Italy (2-1) and the United States (2-1), before eliminating Australia after the decisive double in quarters and thus Russia, also after the double decisive, in halves.
Canada had created a controversy by letting go before the doubles against the United States in the group stage, while the match promised to sink at the end of the night and the qualification was already assured after the two singles. One doctor declared "unfit" three of the four players on the team.
© 2019 AFP