Canada keep their Davis Cup dreams alive with quarter-final spot clinched

Canada clinched their place in the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Saturday thanks to Felix Auger-Aliassime’s win in singles, while Croatia improved their chances of reaching the last eight with a 3-0 sweep of Argentina.
Auger-Aliassime backed up his defeat of new world number one Carlos Alcaraz with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, although Serbia won the tie 2-1 in Valencia to keep their own hopes alive.
Serbia’s Laslo Djere downed Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 6-2 in the opening singles match before Auger-Aliassime’s win guaranteed Canada a top-two finish in Group B.
“I feel this whole event my level has been really good,” said Auger-Aliassime, the world number 13.
“I’m really happy where my game is at. To come out and play this way, get the win, it’s very good for me personally. I’m just really happy for the team.”
“I’m really happy that I came and played with the level I did to get Canada through the quarters,” he added.
Kecmanovic and Filip Krajinovic led Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau 2-1 in the first set of the doubles before a knee injury forced Pospisil to retire.
Serbia need South Korea to beat Spain on Sunday in order to pip the hosts to a knockout spot in Malaga in November.
The Spaniards swept Serbia before losing 2-1 to Canada, while the Koreans have lost their first two ties.
Last year’s runners-up Croatia whitewashed Argentina to boost their prospects of reaching the quarter-finals from Group A, where they have won two of their three ties.
Borna Gojo edged Sebastian Baez in three sets before Cincinnati Masters champion Borna Coric got the better of Francisco Cerundolo, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) in Bologna.
Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic eased past Maximo Gonzalez and Horacio Zeballos in the doubles.
Croatia are now waiting on Sunday’s result between Italy and Sweden to see if they advance. Italy are 2-0 and Sweden are 1-1.
The Netherlands wrapped up first place in Group D with a third straight win after defeating the United States 2-1 in Glasgow.
Botic van de Zandschulp won his third singles match of the week, his 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Taylor Fritz securing the tie for the Dutch after Tallon Griekspoor saw off Tommy Paul 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).
“We’ve had an amazing week together,” said Van de Zandschulp. “Not everyone expected we would be number one, but we played some great tennis.”
Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock claimed the doubles in three tight sets against Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop.
France defeated Belgium 2-1 to bow out of the competition with a consolation victory.
Richard Gasquet downed 268th-ranked Michael Geerts 6-3, 6-3, but Belgium pulled level as David Goffin beat Benjamin Bonzi in three sets.
Nicolas Mahut and Arthur Rinderknech defeated Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in straight sets to win the tie, consigning the Belgians to a third straight loss.
Germany host Australia on Sunday in Hamburg to determine the winner of Group C.
READ MORE: Dan Evans gets top-seeding and first round bye in San Diego
Latest
-
Tennis News
Does Matteo Berrettini have a new love interest?
Matteo Berrettini has been spotted with former model Melissa Satta.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open women’s final info, form, H2H, preview: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
All the info you need ahead of the 2023 Australian Open women’s final.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina: Why the quiet girl is set to dominate Grand Slam tennis
Elena Rybakina could be an all-timer.
-
Tennis News
Mats Wilander expects Elena Rybakina to make ’10 grand slam finals’
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina beat Victoria Azarenka 7-6, 6-3 to set up a final with Belarusian fifth-seed Sabalenka.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open day 11: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach women’s final
The story of the 11th day of action from Melbourne Park.
-
News
Aryna Sabalenka books power battle with Elena Rybakina in Australian Open final
Sabalenka beat Magda Linette 7-6 (1) 6-2 to reach her first grand slam singles final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic plunged into fresh controversy and he needs to fix it quickly
Novak Djokovic needs to do all he can to clean up the mess created by his father as quickly as possible.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Andy Murray shares hilarious mock lipreading video from Thanasi Kokkinakis clash
Andy Murray saw the funny side of a TikTok video from his Australian Open second round win.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic still motivated by Rafael Nadal rivalry
That Grand Slam record is on Novak Djokovic’s mind for sure.
-
News
Elena Rybakina clinches straight sets semi-final win over Victoria Azarenka
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final at the Australian Open.