Revenge is a dish greatest served with tea and crumpets.
There was loads of it to go round for Group Canada on Thursday in Manchester on the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage because the Canadians avenged their title defence-ending defeat within the 2023 Davis Cup Closing 8 to Finland with a sweep.
However for the boys of Group Canada, it was not about tagging the Finns again for that November loss.
When requested in his post-victory interview if revenge was on his thoughts forward of the tie, Félix Auger-Aliassime mentioned, “any motivation is nice” however went on to say the circumstances of the 2 ties made revenge not significantly related.
Canada defeated Finland 3-0, all straight-set wins, to stay atop group D.
“To be sincere, I didn’t even take into consideration the loss final November,” defined crew captain Frank Dancevic in his post-tie press convention. “I Simply frightened about match-by-match, specializing in the gamers which can be taking part in that day and attempting to get by that match. I’m not occupied with whether or not we performed them sixth months in the past or a yr in the past or received or misplaced prior to now. In the present day is a unique day. Totally different situations, totally different gamers, totally different every part. We’re simply going about our enterprise.”
Learn additionally: Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov Again with a Bang at Davis Cup
As for the for matches he was targeted on, Dancevic “Couldn’t have requested for extra as we speak. I’m tremendous pleased with the crew.”
The state of affairs on Thursday was a lot totally different than it was when the 2 nations met final November. Neither of the Canadians who performed on Thursday, Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, performed in that tie. The Montrealer was current however bodily unable to play, whereas Shapovalov had already shut his season down resulting from a knee damage suffered at Wimbledon.
This time, the Canadians have been wholesome and seeking to remind everybody why they have been world champions lower than two years in the past.
“It’s a unique yr, a unique tie,” mentioned Auger-Aliassime, who needed to watch the Finland loss from the bench. “This was behind us, and this yr now we have a full crew and everyone is taking part in higher than final yr, everybody has improved. That’s the largest factor.”
Shapovalov was not in Malaga for the loss to Finland. Whereas he didn’t say something about revenge, he actually got here out of the gate wanting like he had some extent to show. He solely wanted 74 minutes to place away Eero Vasa within the opening match of the day.
Learn additionally: Canadian Doubles Steal the Present in Toronto
“Undoubtedly blissful to get the win,” mentioned Shapovalov post-match. “Clearly I had a very good begin after which obtained a bit bit tight there. I believe Eero additionally picked up his stage. I used to be blissful to win that tiebreak and I used to be in a position to hold it going within the second. After successful that first set, I simply loosened up sufficient to have the ability to play a bit extra freely and I believe I performed rather well within the second.”
“Denis began off wonderful. First match, it’s by no means simple to win any match in Davis Cup. He discovered sufficient to get by, performed strong sufficient to get by. That was nice,” was the evaluation of Dancevic.
Auger-Aliassime needed to watch Otto Virtanen defeat Gabriel Diallo in November to show the tide of that quarter-final tie. He was not about to let it occur once more in opposition to that very same Finn.
Learn additionally: Draper Leads Canada’s Opposition in Davis Cup Group Stage – Meet Nice Britain, Argentina, and Finland
“Tennis is a tricky sport. Days like this throughout the yr don’t occur on a regular basis so I’m going to take pleasure in myself as we speak. I loved myself on the court docket and I’m proud of my recreation,” analyzed the Montrealer.
When requested if he felt extra motivated when representing his nation, the current Olympic bronze medalist defined “I like taking part in for a much bigger function than simply myself. It’s a pleasant feeling. Whenever you win, it’s higher since you introduced one thing good to the crew, one thing constructive. To see everyone, my teammates, the employees, to see all of them blissful afterwards is absolutely gratifying.
To cap off the day, the previous associates joined forces for a doubles win, their first time taking part in collectively since Could 2023.
Learn additionally: Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime Energy Canada Previous Argentina at Davis Cup
“It was phenomenal. Only a actually clear day. Not rather more I may ask for as a captain,” mentioned Dancevic.
Canada is in a robust place to advance to the Davis Cup Closing 8 after successful their first two ties in Manchester. They might win the group in the event that they beat Nice Britain on Sunday however may clinch earlier than their closing tie if Argentina loses both of their stay ties on Friday in opposition to the Brits or Saturday in opposition to the Finns.
