Denis Shapovalov leads the way as Canada will host Hungary in first-round Davis Cup qualifier action.
Tennis Canada announced its roster Monday featuring Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., along with Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., and Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C.
The winner of the best-of-five tie on the indoor hardcourt at Montreal’s IGA Stadium will advance to the second round of qualifiers in September. The losing team will be relegated to the World Group 1 level.
Canada won the Davis Cup for the first time in 2022 and has been eliminated in the quarterfinals — now called the Final 8 — in each of the last two years.
Montreal also served as a first-round qualifier host last February when Canada defeated South Korea 3-1. Canada has won nine of its last 10 home ties.
“We are very excited to be coming back to Montreal with such a strong team for this year’s Davis Cup qualifiers,” Canada captain Frank Dancevic said in a release. “While we know that Hungary has some very talented players, we feel extremely confident that this team will get the job done and get us one step closer to the Davis Cup Final 8. Last year, winning our qualifier tie at IGA Stadium was something special, and we look forward to another opportunity to play in front of the passionate Montreal crowd.”
Canada holds the No. 3 position in the Davis Cup rankings while Hungary is ranked 22nd. The teams have never met in Davis Cup competition.
Two singles matches will be played Feb. 1. A doubles match and two more singles matches are scheduled for Feb. 2.
Germany swept Canada in the quarterfinals last year in Malaga, Spain. Daniel Altmaier defeated Diallo 7-6 (5), 6-4 and Jan-Lennard Struff edged Shapovalov 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5).
The winners of the second-round qualifiers will join host Italy in the 2025 Final 8 in November.
Italy won its second straight Davis Cup title with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands.
— With files from the Canadian Press.