Leylah Annie Fernandez and Félix Auger-Aliassime each scored spectacular victories to select up their first singles match wins of the brand new 2025 tennis season, however it was not sufficient for Crew Canada to advance out of the group stage on the United Cup.
Canada opened the occasion with a victory over Croatia however a loss to the US left the Canadians on the mercy of different outcomes. They in the end completed second in Group A, enjoying their matches in Perth, Australia, which was not sufficient to advance to the knockout stage of the mixed crew occasion.
Fernandez Begins Season with a Bang In opposition to Croatia
Within the phrases of her teammate, Leylah Annie Fernandez was the MVP for Canada of their opening tie in opposition to Croatia, selecting up a formidable singles win over 2024 Olympic silver medalist and Wimbledon semifinalist Donna Vekic earlier than clinching the tie 2-1 with Auger-Aliassime within the doubles.
Fernandez was rock stable in each matches, by no means dropping serve in both one. Within the opening singles match, the Canadian made her transfer late in each units, breaking to take the primary set after which scoring the break within the eighth sport of the second, which arrange Fernandez to serve out a 6-4, 6-3 win, her first of the 2025 season.
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Auger-Aliassime had a tougher begin, struggling a heart-breaking three-set loss to Borna Coric. The Canadian gained the primary eight video games of the match to take the primary set and go up a break within the second. He was 5 factors away from victory when he was serving at 4-3, AD-40 within the second set however Coric was in a position to flip the tide, breaking again and in the end taking the match in three units 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
If Auger-Aliassime was shaken after letting his lead in singles slip away, he didn’t present it within the doubles. Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime dominated the deciding match in opposition to Lucija Ciric Bagaric and Ivan Dodig, by no means dealing with a break level whereas changing one among their very own halfway by means of every set to seal the tie for Canada with a 6-3, 6-4 win.
Canada Falls Brief In opposition to USA Regardless of Auger-Aliassime’s Upset
After his gutting defeat the day prior to this, Auger-Aliassime bounced again brilliantly in Canada’s second group stage tie in opposition to the US, upsetting world No. 4 Taylor Fritz with a comeback win of his personal.
The victory was the lone brilliant spot on the day for Canada because the Individuals in the end gained the tie 2-1.
Auger-Aliassime discovered himself on the opposite facet of the identical scenario as his match in opposition to Coric, trailing by a set and a break late into the second set in opposition to Fritz. The American served for the match at 5-4 within the second however Auger-Aliassime was in a position to break. The Canadian gained the final 4 video games of the second set in a row to power a decider. One break halfway by means of the third was sufficient for Auger-Aliassime to seal the upset 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
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His victory over the world No. 4 was Auger-Aliassime’s largest win by rating because the 2022 ATP Finals when he beat world No. 2 Rafael Nadal. It was his seventh win in opposition to a Prime 5 opponent.
Auger-Aliassime wanted to win the lads’s singles match after Fernandez misplaced the opening match of the tie to WTA world No. 3 Coco Gauff in straight units. Not like her opening match the place she cruised on serve, the Canadian discovered herself beneath fixed strain up in opposition to the speedy American. The Lavalloise was damaged twice in every set as she was crushed 6-3, 6-2.
The 4 singles gamers have been again out to resolve the tie within the doubles, which the Individuals narrowly snuck out in two tight units 7-6(2), 7-5.
A victory over the Individuals would have clinched Group A for Canada. Nevertheless, their destiny was left unsure after the completion of their two ties. Canada might have nonetheless gained Group A however the US victory over Chile on Tuesday gained the group for the Individuals. The perfect runner-up of the three teams enjoying in Perth additionally superior to the quarter-finals, however Canada completed second amongst these groups behind China. Because of this, Crew Canada was eradicated within the group stage for the second time in two appearances on the United Cup.
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