Spain Sweeps Canada For Sixth Davis Cup Title

Four sets was all that were needed Sunday for Spain to sweep past Canada for the 2019 Davis Cup title. Under the new format, the ties this week were reduced to just three best-of-3 set matches, and in Madrid it was the veteran Spaniards winning both singles to clinch their sixth Davis Cup crown.

Playing with a heavy heart following the recent death of his father, Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3), 6-3.

That set the stage for Rafael Nadal to clinch it and he did just that besting Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6(7).

Nadal, who was a perfect 7-0 (5-0 singles, 2-0 doubles) on the week, has now won his last 28 singles matches in Davis Cup play.

“When you finally win the title after all the things that we went through this week, and playing at home, it is something difficult to describe,” Nadal said.

“It’s an amazing feeling, and especially to share this great moment with all the people that supported us during the whole week is just unforgettable, for all the fans. And to share this victory too with the rest of the team, our six – and there is a much bigger team behind the scenes. We can’t thank all of them enough.

“It’s been an unforgettable week for all of us, without a doubt, so I’m super-happy. And, yeah, honestly, it’s one of these weeks that we’ll never forget.”

The victory was extra emotional for Bautista Agut.

“It was very difficult,” Bautista Agut said of his father’s passing. “I was speaking with Sergi about the situation, and I took the decision to go home on Thursday morning, and I was back yesterday afternoon to support the team.

“I drove here from Castellon and I didn´t think about playing. I came to support the team with all my heart. But once we qualified for the final, I started to feel like playing.

“I had the opportunity to play today because all the team and all the players and the rest of the team did an unbelievable effort since the first day. And, well, it was an amazing feeling on the court today.”

“Everyone has participated in the victory, to get the trophy, and all of us have worked very hard during the whole week.”

Spain also won the title in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011. It was Nadal’s fifth crown.

The surprising Canada team was appearing in their first Davis Cup final. And with two young stars, they have a lot to look forward to.

“We’re super proud,” Shapovalov said. “Obviously it sucks, sucks losing in the finals. But I’m super proud of everyone, everyone sitting here, super proud of the people in the background. We’ve put in 120 percent every single day. It’s amazing how far we’ve been able to come.”

Spain, Canada along with semifinalists France and Serbia have all qualified for the 2020 Davis Cup final round next November.

Spain d. Canada 2-0
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) d. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 7-6(3) 6-3
Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-3 7-6(7)
Vasek Pospisil/Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v Marcel Granollers/Feliciano Lopez (ESP) not played

You Might Like:
Davis Cup Wrap: Alcaraz-led Spain, USA, Italy Qualify For Finals
2012 Davis Cup Draw: US Travels to Switzerland, Spain the Favorites Again?
Davis Cup 2017 Draw: USA To Host Swiss, England Goes To Canada
Nadal Leads Spain Into Davis Cup Final Against Surprising Canada
Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime Lead Canada To First Davis Cup Title