Revenge is a dish finest served with tea and crumpets.
There was loads of it to go round for Workforce Canada on Thursday in Manchester on the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage because the Canadians avenged their title defence-ending defeat within the 2023 Davis Cup Ultimate 8 to Finland with a sweep.
However for the boys of Workforce 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 mentioned, “any motivation is sweet” however went on to say the circumstances of the 2 ties made revenge not significantly 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 final November,” defined staff captain Frank Dancevic in his post-tie press convention. “I Simply anxious about match-by-match, specializing in the gamers which are taking part in that day and attempting to get via that match. I’m not interested by whether or not we performed them sixth months in the past or a yr in the past or received or misplaced prior to now. At present is a unique day. Totally different situations, totally different gamers, totally different every part. We’re simply going about our enterprise.”
Learn additionally: Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov Again with a Bang at Davis Cup
As for the for matches he was targeted on, Dancevic “Couldn’t have requested for extra in the present day. I’m tremendous pleased with the staff.”
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 because of a knee damage 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 unique yr, a unique tie,” mentioned Auger-Aliassime, who needed to watch the Finland loss from the bench. “This was behind us, and this yr we’ve got a full staff and all people is taking part in 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 actually got here out of the gate trying like he had a degree 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 Present in Toronto
“Positively blissful to get the win,” mentioned Shapovalov post-match. “Clearly I had a very good begin after which bought a little bit bit tight there. I believe Eero additionally picked up his degree. I used to be blissful 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 little bit extra freely and I believe I performed very 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 via, performed stable sufficient to get via. 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 towards that very same Finn.
Learn additionally: Draper Leads Canada’s Opposition in Davis Cup Group Stage – Meet Nice Britain, Argentina, and Finland
“Tennis is a tricky sport. Days like this through the yr don’t occur on a regular basis so I’m going to take pleasure in myself in the present day. I loved myself on the court docket and I’m proud of my recreation,” analyzed the Montrealer.
When requested if he felt extra motivated when representing his nation, the current Olympic bronze medalist defined “I like taking part in for an even bigger function than simply myself. It’s a pleasant feeling. If you win, it’s higher since you introduced one thing good to the staff, one thing constructive. To see all people, my teammates, the employees, to see all of them blissful afterwards is actually gratifying.
To cap off the day, the outdated mates joined forces for a doubles win, their first time taking part in collectively since Could 2023.
Learn additionally: Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime Energy Canada Previous Argentina at Davis Cup
“It was phenomenal. Only a actually clear day. Not rather more I might ask for as a captain,” mentioned Dancevic.
Canada is in a powerful place to advance to the Davis Cup Ultimate 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 last tie if Argentina loses both of their stay ties on Friday towards the Brits or Saturday towards the Finns.
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