Davis Cup: Canada loses to Italy in first semi-final match

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Málaga, Spain — Just as he had to do against Oscar Otte and Germany last Thursday, Felix Auger-Aliassime will have to help Denis Shapovalov and Canada in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup final on Saturday. .

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Shapovalov underwent treatment for his lower back between the third and fourth games of the third set and went 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6 after a hard-fought 3 hours and 14 minutes. I lost in 3 sets of -6. 4th against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the first of two singles matches on the day.

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In a decisive set, Shapovalov committed seven double faults, including three in the tenth game. His final double fault gave Sonego the win.

Auger-Aliassime needs to beat Lorenzo Musetti in another singles match for Canada to advance to the Davis Cup Grand Final for the second time in its history.

A doubles match would then be required to determine which nation will face Australia in Sunday’s grand final.

In principle, Canada should delegate Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil for this doubles match against Simone Borelli and Fabio Fognini.

Shapovalov and Pospisil teamed up on Thursday to bring a one-set deficit to zero and win a decisive double against Germany to secure Canada’s semi-final spot