Shapovalov Powers Canada Past Russia, Into Davis Cup Final

Denis Shapovalov came through in both singles and doubles on Saturday, helping Canada defeat Russia 2-1 to advance to the final of the Davis Cup for the first time.

Russian Andrey Rublev continued his strong performance this week with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the semi-final’s first rubber. Rublev won all four of his singles matches this week, dropping only one set.

But Shapovalov rallied for his country, battling past Russian No. 1 Karen Khachanov 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to force a deciding doubles rubber. And once there, Shapovalov and Khachanov dug deep, beating Khachanov and Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5). The victory came one day after Khachanov and Rublev won a final-set tie-break against Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki to eliminate Serbia in the quarter-finals.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Shapovalov told DavisCup.com. “It’s incredible how far we’ve come this week, with me and Vasek playing on a different level. It’s unbelievable to see. And to clinch it like this, in the doubles, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Canada will face Great Britain or Spain for the title on Sunday. Those two countries are currently tied at 1-1 in their semi-final.

Former World No. 14 Kyle Edmund dismissed reigning Fever-Tree Championships titlist Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 7-6(3) to give Great Britain the edge. And although Daniel Evans put forth a valiant effort to stay on serve through nine games against Rafael Nadal, the World No. 1 exerted his will to defeat the Brit 6-4, 6-0, forcing the second deciding doubles rubber of the day.

Nadal and Lopez are taking on Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski to decide the tie.