By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday November 21, 2019
Team Canada reached the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 2013 on Thursday in Madrid.
Photo Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty
A resurgent Vasek Pospisil and Denis Shapovalov guided Canada past Australia and into the Davis Cup semifinals on Thursday night in Madrid.
Pospisil improved to 3-0 in Davis Cup singles this week in Madrid by defeating Nick Kyrgios’ replacement, John Millman, 7-6(7) 6-4. For much of the day there was mystery around Kyrgios’ injury but it was later revealed to be a collarbone issue.
“Nick woke up this morning with a problem. It was with his collarbone and he was unable to play,” Aussie captain Lleyton Hewitt said. “John came in and did his best, but we are all very disappointed to be out.”
It has been a special run for Pospisil, who is making a comeback from back surgery and is settled into fantastic form.
“I’ve been playing really well this week and trying to keep the momentum going, feeling really confident,” Pospisil said. “I’m playing pretty relaxed, which is good—I’m enjoying my time on the court after being injured, which has changed my perspective a bit, and maybe that’s helped me for the last couple of months.”
After Alex de Minaur battled back to defeat Shapovalov 3-6 6-3 7-5, Pospisil and Shapovalov returned to take out Millman and John Peers, 6-4 6-4.
Canada will face either Russia or Serbia in Saturday’s semifinals. The two nations will meet in the afternoon session in Madrid on Friday.
Argentina will battle Spain in the evening session, followed by Great Britain and Germany.