Those slim hopes were quickly put to the sword as an inspired Shapovalov took full advantage of an under-par Evans to seal his nation’s passage back into the Davis Cup Finals at the expense of Great Britain.
That result meant that the eye-catching match-up between Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime was merely a formality, yet it turned out to be the real gem of this tie.
It was the pair’s first meeting since their contentious encounter in Cincinnati, one that ended in controversy as an unintentionally illegal shot from Draper sealed victory for the Briton. Perhaps a lingering sense of injustice from that match provided added motivation for Auger-Aliassime, as a fiercely-fought contest provided one of the most gripping match-ups of the week.
auger-aliassime and draper play out excellent contest
In one of the longest and closest sets of the Davis Cup group stage this year, a high-quality opener put an end to speculation that this match might just be an exercise in energy conservation.
Both Draper and Auger-Aliassime displayed some of their finest tennis in an intense mid-tie battle, with each’s service games particularly impressive. Break points were few and far between, with the Canadian failing to convert the only two opportunities of the set.
A tiebreak felt an appropriate way to break the deadlock, and it was one that Auger-Aliassime looked sure to have wrapped up comfortably when he navigated his way to a 6-3 lead. But the British No 1 showed admirable tenacity, saving all three set points – five in total – before the Canadian eventually sealed the opening stanza at the sixth time of asking as a backhand from the Brit sailed long.
An exhausted Draper – who spoke about the season’s overpacked schedule prior to this match-up – took his frustrations out on his racquet at the conclusion of the set, perhaps sensing his nation’s chances of a consolation win slipping away with the loss of the opener.
With all his recent exertions across the past nine days, the need for Draper to win that first set was of paramount importance, especially given the energy he had expended across the first hour of the match. Indeed, a buoyant Auger-Aliassime sensed his opportunity well, earning the first break of the contest in the opening game of the second set.
But Draper held firm, both mentally and physically, striking back in the fourth game with a superb forehand winner down the line to restore parity.
Yet as the match ticked over into its third hour, the fresher Canadian’s physicality came to the fore as Auger-Aliassime earned another break in the penultimate game, before serving out the victory with a timely ace.
“High level, high intensity,” was how Auger-Aliassime summed up the contest in his on-court interview.
“We gave our best for ourselves and our countries. We had already qualified but Jack and I are trying our best to win and give it our best. I think we were both quite tired.
“It was a bit more relaxed, not as much tension [having already qualified]. The ultimate goal of the week is done but you still try to play a good match and win. I still felt tense in the first-set tiebreak but it was good that Denis got the win before me.”
great britain face up to post-murray era, as superb canada march on to the finals
Great Britain’s new-look team put up a spirited effort over the past five days, playing well above their collective singles ranking and giving their home crowd some memorable moments of jubilation.
They are undoubtedly in a transitional period following the retirement of Andy Murray, with Cameron Norrie also sorely missed this week, and it may take some time before Leon Smith settles on his best team.
But this week belongs to Canada. They will return to the Davis Cup Finals in two months’ time confident of putting together a genuine tilt at a second title.
They were spectacular in their maiden title run two years ago, with talisman Auger-Aliassime the star performer on that occasion. Across this week in Manchester, he again has been Canada’s leading man, winning all of his matches with a style and panache that has been largely missing from his game over the past 18 months.
Reunited with his compatriots as part of a team environment in which he clearly thrives, the world No 21 looks to be getting back to his very best – a welcome and timely development for Canada as they emphatically sealed passage into the Finals with a clean sweep of victories.
They will be a force to be reckoned with in November, as the leading nations assemble once again in Malaga to battle it out for the 2024 Davis Cup crown.