Workforce Canada’s depth has been on full show in the course of the 2024 Davis Cup competitors. By way of 4 ties, 4 completely different males have gained singles matches for the nation.
For the third time in three rounds of the occasion this yr, Canada will probably be rolling with a unique mixture of gamers on the Davis Cup, however given the outcomes up to now, there isn’t a actual trigger for concern. Even with 4 completely different gamers having gotten the nod for a singles match, Canada is 9-0 in singles this yr on the Davis Cup with the lack of only one set.
Three of these 4 males, Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo, and Vasek Pospisil, will probably be in Malaga this November to try to deliver residence a second title in three years. Becoming a member of them are two gamers, Alexis Galarneau and Milos Raonic, with no scarcity of expertise and profitable pedigree at this occasion.
Let’s meet the lads of Workforce Canada forward of the 2024 Davis Cup Remaining 8.
Denis Shapovalov
Rank: 78
Davis Cup Look: eleventh
Davis Cup Report: 18-10
2024 Report: 21-22
2024 has not been the bounce-back yr many could have hoped for from Denis Shapovalov, however he has been exhibiting indicators of progress over the previous few months.
The 25-year-old was sensible in the course of the Davis Cup Group Stage in Manchester, profitable all three of his singles matches in straight units, together with the clinching level over Dan Evans in Canada’s ultimate tie in opposition to Nice Britain. He added a doubles win in opposition to Finland, ending the week 4-1 (a doubles loss in opposition to Argentina within the opening tie).
Whereas he could not have totally carried that good type via the autumn, he put up some good outcomes, together with qualifying for the Shanghai Masters and attending to the second spherical, in addition to reaching his second quarter-final of the season in Basel, the place he misplaced to the eventual champion Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. He adopted that up together with his greatest run since October 2022, coming via qualifying to achieve the ultimate on the ATP 250 occasion in Belgrade.
Shapovalov will probably be known as upon to play the position of Canadian No. 1 for the primary time at a Davis Cup tie for the reason that 2019 Finals, when he powered Canada into the ultimate with spectacular performances in singles and doubles.
Gabriel Diallo
Rank: 88
Davis Cup Look: seventh
Davis Cup Report: 4-4
2024 Report: 11-14
With Shapovalov and Félix Auger-Aliassime in attendance, Diallo’s lone match within the group stage was a lifeless doubles rubber on the ultimate day in opposition to Nice Britain. However the big Montrealer has confirmed himself greater than able to stepping up for the nationwide group, together with earlier this yr when he scored two essential singles wins within the qualifying spherical to ship Canada to Manchester.
Since that journey to the UK, the 23-year-old has continued to make strides. He got here via qualifying at a Masters 1000 occasion for the primary time in Shanghai in October and added a few deep runs at ATP Challenger Tour Occasions.
However the spotlight was on the ATP 250 occasion in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the place Diallo reached his first ultimate on the ATP Tour. He beat a former Masters 1000 champion and two Prime 40 gamers on his approach to the ultimate, the place he went toe-to-toe with veteran Karen Khachanov, arising simply quick in three units.
Because of the run in Almaty, Diallo broke into the Prime 100 on the ATP rankings for the primary time, even briefly leaping over Shapovalov earlier than Basel. His sport is nicely suited to the indoor courts in Malaga and he could profit from opening proceedings because the Canadian No. 2. In 4 of his 5 earlier singles matches in Davis Cup play, he was within the position of the nation’s No. 1 participant.
Alexis Galarneau
Rank: 216
Davis Cup Look: eighth
Davis Cup Report: 5-5
2024 Report: 2-3
Like Diallo, Galarneau was restricted to only one lifeless doubles match throughout September’s group stage. However the Lavallois has confirmed himself able to stepping up for his nation earlier than, most notably in the course of the 2023 group stage when he gained two singles and three doubles matches.
Learn additionally: Fernandez, Dabrowski, Stakusic, Marino Again to Defend Billie Jean King Cup Title – Meet Workforce Canada
Since Manchester, Galarneau has been taking part in primarily on the Challenger Tour and has been comparatively constant, reaching the quarter-finals or higher at 4 of seven tournaments. His greatest end result got here within the ultimate week of October when he reached the semifinals of the Charlottesville Challenger.
Galarneau has been one of the constant presences on the Canadian Davis Cup group since making his debut in March 2022. He has not missed a tie for the reason that 2022 qualifiers in opposition to the Netherlands, a streak of eight consecutive nominations which is the longest energetic streak of any participant on the Canadian squad.
Milos Raonic
Rank: 238
Davis Cup Look: sixteenth
Davis Cup Report: 19-6
2024 Report: 6-5
A yr in the past, the veteran was the intense spot for Canada within the Remaining 8, choosing up the lone level with a basic, scientific serving efficiency within the 2-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Regardless of having not performed since July, he arrives in Malaga tied for probably the most singles wins by a Canadian in Davis Cup play with 17 (tied with Sébastien Lareau).
After making his return to the tour in 2023 after a multi-year absence, it has been a quiet 2024 for Raonic.
He has had some moments of brilliance, together with quarter-final runs in Rotterdam, the place he pushed soon-to-be world No. 1 Jannik Sinner arduous for a set earlier than having to retire, and in s-Hertogenbosch. He additionally set a tour document for many aces in a best-of-three match throughout his thrilling first-round win on the Queen’s Membership over Cameron Norrie.
However accidents have been an issue too. His first three tournaments of the yr ended with retirements and the final time his identify appeared in a draw was in Montreal, the place he withdrew previous to his first-round match.
Raonic was meant to be a part of the group in Manchester however was pressured to withdraw attributable to a damaged toe. His final match was on the Paris Olympics in July, a three-tiebreak first-round loss to Dominik Koepfer.
Vasek Pospisil
Rank: 737
Davis Cup Look: twenty eighth
Davis Cup Report: 32-27
2024 Report: 1-1
It has been a sluggish yr for the present Mr. Davis Cup as accidents are mounting up. Pospisil has been stop-start all season and has barely performed since September’s group stage. In reality, he has solely participated in a single event, reaching the second spherical of the ATP Challenger occasion in Calgary the place he misplaced to his Davis Cup teammate Galarneau.
Pospisil has not performed a tour occasion outdoors of Canada since April.
The one aggressive match he did play overseas of late was in Davis Cup play when he teamed up with Shapovalov in doubles in opposition to Argentina.
Whereas he’ll arrive in Malaga with out a lot match play underneath his belt, Pospisil has a knack for defying the percentages and taking part in his greatest with the maple leaf on his chest. Two years in the past, he was a serious piece in Canada’s title run with deciding doubles victories in each the quarters in opposition to Germany and semifinals in opposition to Italy.
Workforce Canada will open their marketing campaign in Malaga the identical manner they did in the course of the 2022 championship run, with a quarter-final in opposition to Germany. The tie will happen on Nov. 20 at 12:00 pm native, 6:00 am EST.
Viewers can watch Workforce Canada’s Davis Cup Remaining 8 ties without spending a dime on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports activities app, and CBC Sports activities’ official YouTube channel. The ties will even be accessible in French, as TVA Sports activities and TVA Sports activities Direct will probably be exhibiting Canada’s matchups, in addition to all semifinals and finals.
