Team Canada has positive memories of playing against Germany in the Davis Cup quarter-finals at the Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain.
The two teams met in the last eight two years ago here, with Canada eeking out a comeback win 2-1 to kick off a run in Malaga that ended with lifting the Davis Cup trophy for the first time. Canada and Germany will meet again in the same round of the competition on the same court on Wednesday.
“It definitely is one of the proudest moments, winning [the Davis Cup] in 2022,” Vasek Pospisil told the media on Monday in the team’s pre-event press conference. “I have had a handful in my career, and I would put that up there, for sure Top 3, if not No. 1, no question about it.”
That title run very nearly came to an end a couple of rounds early at Germany’s hands. It was the closest Canada came to losing in the Final 8.
Depending on the nominations, which will only come out just before the tie on Wednesday, there could be a lot of parallels between the two encounters.
Denis Shapovalov is projected to face Jan-Lennard Struff once again, although this time in the second singles match. The German won in a third-set tiebreak in the 2022 quarter-final when they were their nation’s No. 2 singles players.
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Even though Struff won that match at this same stage in Malaga two years ago and leads their overall head-to-head 6-3, the Canadian has reason to be confident as he is arriving on a seven-match winning streak after claiming his first title in five years at the Belgrade Open. He is 12-2 overall since the start of October, while Struff has only won two matches since Wimbledon.
“[Winning the title in Belgrade] definitely gives you a lot of confidence,” said Shapovalov. “I have been feeling good on these courts, as well. Obviously completely different conditions than Belgrade, but for sure playing very well and very happy to be back, part of the team. I just hope I can help the team as much as possible.”
All four players who contested the decisive doubles match are back as well, Pospisil and Shapovalov for Canada, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz for Germany. It is a safe assumption that the Germans will go with the same pair as two years ago, while it is a little less clear for Canada.
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Germany’s biggest advantage in the tie could come into play if it goes the distance, as their doubles team is currently one of the hottest on tour. Krawietz and Putz just won the ATP Finals, reached the final of the US Open in September, and have been a dominant force in the Davis Cup since first joining forces in 2021, boasting an astounding 14-1 record.
However, that one loss? To Shapovalov and Pospisil in the 2022 quarter-final on this same court in Malaga.
When asked if winning the two singles matches will be even more critical for Canada because of the German strength in doubles, Shapovalov said, “we know they have a good doubles team. Obviously winning two singles is the priority, but with the format, it’s always extremely difficult. A lot of these ties come down to the doubles. Me and Vasek beat them the last time we went up against them. We believe in ourselves if it comes down to that. The best-case scenario is that we win 2-0, but it’s tough to always hope for that.”
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As for the 2024 clash, team captain Frank Dancevic gave his analysis.
“Their games suit this surface. They have big serves. They are experienced players. They have a good doubles team. Any team that’s here in the quarterfinals is going to be a very tough team to beat. We just have to be on. We have to be playing well. All the guys have to be playing well to give ourselves a chance to win. That’s just how it is at this stage of the game. Our job is to focus on ourselves, and whoever we play, whether we play Germany or Spain or Australia, it doesn’t matter. We focus on what we have to do and try to get our team to be playing as well as possible going into the first match.”
Canada and Germany will contest their quarter-final on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with play getting underway at noon in Spain, 6:00 am EST in Canada.
Remembering Rafa
For anyone on-site in Malaga, or even really following the coverage of the Davis Cup Finals, one person is dominating the scene.
Rafael Nadal.
The Spanish superstar is playing his final event this week in Malaga, bringing an end to his legendary career. During Canada’s press conference, Shapovalov was asked what he thought of Nadal’s pending retirement in Malaga.
“It’s going to be very emotional and I think very dramatic in the sense of it’s going to mean a lot to everyone,” answered the Canadian. “I think he’s left a big imprint on all tennis players and people around the world in general, so definitely hoping the best, wish him the best, and I hope he can have good stuff going forward after tennis.”
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Shapovalov was also asked about his favourite memories playing against Nadal, which he did six times on tour, to which the Canadian quipped, “beating him?” with a laugh. He then went on to say:
There has been a lot of good moments, good matches between me and Rafa. Obviously some I have won; most I have lost [Nadal leads the head-to-head 4-2]. It’s been fun to go up against him and battle. I think one of the best matches or most entertaining matches we played was in Australian Open, the five sets in the quarterfinals [in 2022]. It was definitely a special match for the both of us.
Playing him, beating him on clay was also a great memory, a special memory for me, as well. Also given that the year before I had two or three match points against him and I lost that match. I think he’s left a crazy imprint on the game of tennis. I remember watching him when I was just a kid, cleaning up all the tournaments, winning so much. It’s definitely crazy what he’s been able to achieve. I think not just for a tennis player but for any athlete, it’s insane. It’s definitely very special.”
If Canada beats Germany and Spain defeats the Netherlands on Tuesday, the two nations would meet in the semifinals of the Davis Cup. However, since Shapovalov is the Canadian No. 1, he could not play Nadal in singles.
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Viewers can watch Team Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals and Davis Cup Final 8 ties for free on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app, and CBC Sports’ official YouTube channel. The ties will also be available in French, as TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct will be showing Canada’s matchups, as well as all semifinals and finals.