Historical past did not repeat itself for Canada and Germany on the Davis Cup Ultimate 8 in Malaga.
There have been plenty of parallels between the 2022 and 2024 quarter-finals. Two of the scheduled matchups had been the identical (though one was not performed). Germany received the opening singles match. Jan-Lennard Struff beat Denis Shapovalov in a third-set tiebreak.
However there have been a number of important variations too. And the aspect of the 2022 conflict that Canada wished most, the win, didn’t occur once more.
“That’s the way in which it goes. I feel that general Davis Cup is rarely straightforward. There may be at all times ups and downs,” stated Workforce Canada captain Frank Dancevic in his post-tie press convention.
It’s Canada’s second straight quarter-final exit in Malaga.
The second singles match was a direct rematch of 2022, with Shapovalov and Struff lining up throughout the online as soon as once more. Whereas the order of the units was completely different, the last word end result was the identical: a three-set win for the German.
Learn additionally: Magic Runs Out in Malaga for Canada at the Billie Jean King Cup
“Positively very upset for the crew. I really feel like I allow them to down, particularly I felt like I had the match in my palms, had plenty of probabilities,” stated Shapovalov. “It simply slipped away from me, so it’s undoubtedly a troublesome one.”
“I believed it was actually good high quality. The blokes performed nice tennis. I imply, Struff, he’s taking part in actually good on these courts along with his serve. It fits his recreation, this sort of floor,” analyzed Dancevic. “It comes right down to a few factors. Total it was a terrific match with Denis and at this stage, when two guys are taking part in very well, there’s actually little room for error from either side, and there’s a little little bit of luck that’s factored into that.”
When requested if he thought in any respect concerning the 2022 quarter-final loss to Struff, who now leads their head-to-head 7-3, Shapovalov admitted, “I didn’t have a look at that match in any respect. It was virtually two years in the past. Issues are a lot completely different now. We’re completely different gamers. Plenty of time goes by. I understand how he performs, so it’s not a lot to look from that match.”
Had the Canadian No. 1 pulled out the match with Struff, the doubles would have been a rematch of the decisive rubber in 2022 which pitted Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil towards Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. That match was received by the Canadians, however they didn’t get an opportunity to repeat the feat in 2024.
Learn additionally: Revisiting Rafael Nadal’s Five Titles at the National Bank Open
The one match on the order of play that was not a rematch from the 2022 quarter-final was the opener between Gabriel Diallo and Daniel Altmaier. Although it was a distinct matchup from two years in the past, the end result was the identical as Germany took the lead with a win, this time courtesy of Altmaier.
“I wasn’t fairly as perhaps free as I wished. It was fairly patchy. Some bits and items, moments the place I used to be taking part in nicely; moments the place I used to be a bit bit extra scrappy,” stated Diallo of his efficiency. “However generally that’s the way it goes. Typically the second will get a bit bit to you. Immediately, in some moments, it obtained to me and I didn’t handle to search out my rhythm and discover my strides to get a win.”
Within the eyes of Dancevic, “it was plenty of stress within the first match with Gab and Altmaier. They each got here out actually tentative. They didn’t snap out of it the entire match, truly.”
Even in defeat although, Dancevic wrapped up Canada’s 2024 keep in Malaga by praising his crew and professing optimism for 2025.
Learn additionally: Improved Diallo Capping Off Career Year at Davis Cup
“I’m actually happy with the fellows this week the way in which they fought on the market. That’s all I can ask for as a captain. Subsequent yr we’re going to come back again stronger and attempt to make a run as soon as once more hopefully.”
Canada will play within the qualifying spherical in February. They’ll study their opponent and site within the coming weeks. Canada hosted the Republic of Korea in Montreal final February.
CLICK HERE for all the pieces you’ll want to know concerning the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.
