Canada on brink of ATP Cup triumph

Murray Wenzel |

Canada’s Denis Shapovalov celebrates his ATP Cup final win against Sapin’s Pablo Carreno Busta.
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov celebrates his ATP Cup final win against Sapin’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

Playing captain Felix Auger-Aliassime can seal a maiden ATP Cup triumph for Canada after fellow young gun Denis Shapovalov put his country one win away from the trophy.

Left-handed talent Shapovalov was too good for Spanish mainstay Pablo Carreno Busta in Sydney on Sunday night, clinching the crucial first rubber 6-4 6-3.

It leaves 21-year-old world No.11 Auger-Aliassime, in dual roles as Canada’s captain and lead player, with the chance to secure the tie against in-form Roberto Bautista Agut.

If Bautista Agut squares the ledger, the Cup will be decided in a winner-takes-all doubles battle.

The young Canadian pair emerged from a stacked group to make the final four, then beat defending champions Russia in a tense, live doubles contest to reach a maiden Cup final.

Spain, missing Rafael Nadal as his preparation was hampered by a positive COVID-19 case, have remained dominant thanks to the world’s No.19 and 20.

AAP