Revenge is a dish greatest served with tea and crumpets.
There was loads of it to go round for Group Canada on Thursday in Manchester on the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage because the Canadians avenged their title defence-ending defeat in the 2023 Davis Cup Final 8 to Finland with a sweep.
However for the boys of Group Canada, it was not about tagging the Finns again for that November loss.
When requested in his post-victory interview if revenge was on his thoughts forward of the tie, Félix Auger-Aliassime stated, “any motivation is sweet” however went on to say the circumstances of the 2 ties made revenge not notably related.
Canada defeated Finland 3-0, all straight-set wins, to stay atop group D.
“To be trustworthy, I didn’t even take into consideration the loss last November,” defined group captain Frank Dancevic in his post-tie press convention. “I Simply anxious about match-by-match, specializing in the gamers which can be enjoying that day and attempting to get by way of that match. I’m not fascinated about whether or not we performed them sixth months in the past or a yr in the past or gained or misplaced up to now. At this time is a special day. Totally different circumstances, totally different gamers, totally different all the things. We’re simply going about our enterprise.”
Learn additionally: Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov Back with a Bang at Davis Cup
As for the for matches he was targeted on, Dancevic “Couldn’t have requested for extra as we speak. I’m tremendous pleased with the group.”
The scenario on Thursday was a lot totally different than it was when the 2 nations met final November. Neither of the Canadians who performed on Thursday, Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, performed in that tie. The Montrealer was current however bodily unable to play, whereas Shapovalov had already shut his season down on account of a knee harm suffered at Wimbledon.
This time, the Canadians have been wholesome and trying to remind everybody why they have been world champions lower than two years in the past.
“It’s a special yr, a special tie,” stated Auger-Aliassime, who needed to watch the Finland loss from the bench. “This was behind us, and this yr we have now a full group and everyone is enjoying higher than final yr, everybody has improved. That’s the most important factor.”
Shapovalov was not in Malaga for the loss to Finland. Whereas he didn’t say something about revenge, he definitely got here out of the gate trying like he had some extent to show. He solely wanted 74 minutes to place away Eero Vasa within the opening match of the day.
Learn additionally: Canadian Doubles Steal the Show in Toronto
“Undoubtedly comfortable to get the win,” stated Shapovalov post-match. “Clearly I had a extremely good begin after which obtained a bit bit tight there. I believe Eero additionally picked up his stage. I used to be comfortable to win that tiebreak and I used to be capable of hold it going within the second. After profitable that first set, I simply loosened up sufficient to have the ability to play a bit extra freely and I believe I performed rather well within the second.”
“Denis began off wonderful. First match, it’s by no means simple to win any match in Davis Cup. He discovered sufficient to get by way of, performed strong sufficient to get by way of. That was nice,” was the evaluation of Dancevic.
Auger-Aliassime needed to watch Otto Virtanen defeat Gabriel Diallo in November to show the tide of that quarter-final tie. He was not about to let it occur once more in opposition to that very same Finn.
Learn additionally: Draper Leads Canada’s Opposition in Davis Cup Group Stage – Meet Great Britain, Argentina, and Finland
“Tennis is a troublesome sport. Days like this in the course of the yr don’t occur on a regular basis so I’m going to get pleasure from myself as we speak. I loved myself on the courtroom and I’m proud of my sport,” analyzed the Montrealer.
When requested if he felt extra motivated when representing his nation, the current Olympic bronze medalist defined “I like enjoying for a much bigger objective than simply myself. It’s a pleasant feeling. Once you win, it’s higher since you introduced one thing good to the group, one thing constructive. To see everyone, my teammates, the workers, to see all of them comfortable afterwards is admittedly gratifying.
To cap off the day, the previous associates joined forces for a doubles win, their first time enjoying collectively since Might 2023.
Learn additionally: Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime Power Canada Past Argentina at Davis Cup
“It was phenomenal. Only a actually clear day. Not far more I might ask for as a captain,” stated Dancevic.
Canada is in a robust place to advance to the Davis Cup Remaining 8 after profitable their first two ties in Manchester. They’d win the group in the event that they beat Nice Britain on Sunday however might clinch earlier than their ultimate tie if Argentina loses both of their stay ties on Friday in opposition to the Brits or Saturday in opposition to the Finns.
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