Historical past didn’t repeat itself for Canada and Germany on the Davis Cup Closing 8 in Malaga.
There have been a whole lot of parallels between the 2022 and 2024 quarter-finals. Two of the scheduled matchups have been the identical (though one was not performed). Germany gained the opening singles match. Jan-Lennard Struff beat Denis Shapovalov in a third-set tiebreak.
However there have been numerous crucial variations too. And the ingredient of the 2022 conflict that Canada needed most, the win, didn’t occur once more.
“That’s the best way it goes. I believe that total Davis Cup isn’t straightforward. There’s at all times ups and downs,” stated Group Canada captain Frank Dancevic in his post-tie press convention.
It’s Canada’s second straight quarter-final exit in Malaga.
The second singles match was a direct rematch of 2022, with Shapovalov and Struff lining up throughout the web as soon as once more. Whereas the order of the units was completely different, the last word consequence was the identical: a three-set win for the German.
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“Undoubtedly very disillusioned for the staff. I really feel like I allow them to down, particularly I felt like I had the match in my palms, had a whole lot of probabilities,” stated Shapovalov. “It simply slipped away from me, so it’s positively a troublesome one.”
“I believed it was actually good high quality. The fellows performed nice tennis. I imply, Struff, he’s taking part in actually good on these courts along with his serve. It fits his sport, this type of floor,” analyzed Dancevic. “It comes right down to a few factors. General it was an important match with Denis and at this stage, when two guys are taking part in very well, there’s actually little room for error from both sides, and there’s a little little bit of luck that’s factored into that.”
When requested if he thought in any respect in regards to the 2022 quarter-final loss to Struff, who now leads their head-to-head 7-3, Shapovalov admitted, “I didn’t take a look at that match in any respect. It was virtually two years in the past. Issues are a lot completely different now. We’re completely different gamers. Numerous time goes by. I understand how he performs, so it’s not a lot to look from that match.”
Had the Canadian No. 1 pulled out the match with Struff, the doubles would have been a rematch of the decisive rubber in 2022 which pitted Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil towards Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. That match was gained by the Canadians, however they didn’t get an opportunity to repeat the feat in 2024.
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The one match on the order of play that was not a rematch from the 2022 quarter-final was the opener between Gabriel Diallo and Daniel Altmaier. Despite the fact that it was a distinct matchup from two years in the past, the consequence was the identical as Germany took the lead with a win, this time courtesy of Altmaier.
“I wasn’t fairly as perhaps unfastened as I needed. It was fairly patchy. Some bits and items, moments the place I used to be taking part in properly; moments the place I used to be a bit bit extra scrappy,” stated Diallo of his efficiency. “However generally that’s the way it goes. Generally the second will get a bit bit to you. At present, in some moments, it obtained to me and I didn’t handle to search out my rhythm and discover my strides to get a win.”
Within the eyes of Dancevic, “it was a whole lot of pressure within the first match with Gab and Altmaier. They each got here out actually tentative. They didn’t snap out of it the entire match, really.”
Even in defeat although, Dancevic wrapped up Canada’s 2024 keep in Malaga by praising his staff and professing optimism for 2025.
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“I’m actually pleased with the fellows this week the best way they fought on the market. That’s all I can ask for as a captain. Subsequent yr we’re going to return again stronger and attempt to make a run as soon as once more hopefully.”
Canada will play within the qualifying spherical in February. They’ll be taught their opponent and placement within the coming weeks. Canada hosted the Republic of Korea in Montreal final February.
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