Denis Shapovalov provided Canada with the crucial point for their win over Germany, but he credited Felix Auger-Aliassime as the key man.
Canada entered the 2022 Davis Cup Finals as one of the favourite thanks to their very strong team which combines youth with experience. However, one of the younger players, Denis Shapovalov was not able to win the opening match of the tie.
Germany's Jan Lennard Struff proved to be too strong to overcome, beating Shapovalov 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(2). However, after that, it was time for Auger-Aliassime to step up, as he took on Oscar Otte.
This time, the Canadian never looked to be losing the match, as he overcame his opponent on the hard court in Malaga, Spain, winning the match 7-6(1), 6-4 and sending it into the deciding doubles match.
Doubles specialists Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz seemed to be a very difficult challenge for Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil, who didn't play too many matches together.
The Canadians lost the opening set 2-6, but then, they won the following two sets 6-3, 6-3, sending their country into the semifinals of the 2022 Davis Cup Finals. After the doubles match, Shapovalov, who was one of the two men that delivered the last point in doubles, gave the credit to Auger-Aliassime.
"Huge credit to Felix for bringing the team on the board. He saved us out there today. It’s always a pleasure to play with Vasek. It’s always awesome to share the court with him and we bring some firepower."
Without Auger-Aliassime, the doubles match would never be played, and therefore, he was the key man and deserved all the praise. On Saturday, Canada will try to push their 2022 Davis Cup Finals campaign even further, as they will take on Italy in the semi-finals tie, fighting for a spot in the final.
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