Félix Auger-Aliassime and Vasek Pospisil know it won’t be easy in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals this week in Valencia, Spain. The Canadian team is in the same group as Serbia and Spain, two of the headliners, as well as South Korea.
The two know, however, that nothing is won in advance in the Davis Cup and therefore do not suffer from any complexes on the eve of their first match against South Korea.
Auger-Aliassime, who confirmed his presence on the Canadian team last week, notes that Serbia and Spain are betting on players who have a lot of experience in this type of event and who have won often.
“They really have the ability to play quite a few players who are all very good, some of whom I beat, some of whom I lost,” he admitted at a news conference on Tuesday. It is always a very big challenge to play against complete teams like this. »
“But we’re also not an easy team to play against and we’ve proven that in the past,” he added, referring specifically to the 2019 trip when Canada reached the final against Spain. If we can each play our best tennis, we can do very good things. I feel like I have the potential to win against anyone. »
“It is one of the most difficult groups, with Serbia and Spain, Pospisil is also recognized, who is in his 24th Davis Cup appearance. At least Novak (Djokovic) is not playing. Every game will be difficult. At the end of the day, every time we step on the field, we’re going to try to win. »
Canadian captain Frank Dancevic confirmed he will rely on his two best players, Auger-Aliassime and Pospisil, for the singles. Laval resident Alexis Galarneau and Montrealer Gabriel Diallo, who is making his Davis Cup debut, round out the team.
Right mindset
Auger-Aliassime, who was eliminated in the second round at the recent US Open, assures that he has moved on from this bitter defeat and is approaching this new Davis Cup adventure with a positive spirit.
“He certainly suffered a disappointing and difficult loss in New York. It’s not the first time in my career and it won’t be the last time I’ve suffered a tough loss in a major tournament. I have no problem with that. »
“My level has been pretty good for the last few months. There are losses that I didn’t like, but I did well this summer between the Los Cabos tournament and the Cincinnati tournament. There have been many positives this year. Being here is another opportunity to play games, prepare well and arrive ready and win. Every Davis Cup, you can bring the best things for your team. »
On Friday, Canada has a date with Spain, and tennis’ new favorite, Carlos Alcaraz, the United States Open champion and new world number one, is supposed to be there. Auger-Aliassime called the Spaniard’s victory in New York on Sunday a “huge achievement” and that a showdown against him would be a good test to judge his level.
“Every challenge is welcome. This week is another one, I bring victories to my team and try to go all the way. »
Auger-Aliassime is playing in the Davis Cup for the fourth time in his career and admitted that he always likes to represent Canada in this event, even if he waited until the end of his trip to New York before confirming his presence. And with youngsters Galarneau and Diallo gaining experience from this adventure, he believes the country’s future is promising.
“I always had the desire to play for Canada from a young age. We must not forget where we come from and the importance of playing the Davis Cup when we can. »
“I think we have an opportunity to start building something really good for the next few years. Vasek obviously has a lot of experience, but with Alexis and Gabriel, two young players coming out of college and starting their tour careers, we have an opportunity to start building a solid team for years to come. »
After the games against South Korea on Tuesday and Spain on Friday, it’s Serbia’s turn on Saturday. With the new Davis Cup format, the group stage is played in four cities (Valencia, Bologna, Hamburg and Glasgow). At the end of this stage, the top two countries from each of the four groups will advance to the final tournament scheduled for November 21-27 in Malaga, Spain.
