MANCHESTER, England — Canada, Australia and Germany remained unbeaten within the group stage of the Davis Cup finals after every profitable their second straight match Thursday, whereas Czech participant Tomas Machac retired injured for the second time in two days after enjoying solely six minutes.
Canada received 3-0 in opposition to Finland, Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in opposition to the Czech Republic, and Germany swept apart Chile 3-0.
Denis Shapovalov beat Eero Vasa 7-6 (2), 6-2 and Felix Auger-Aliassime adopted up with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Otto Virtanen for the 2022 Davis Cup champions in Manchester.
There was a component of revenge after Canada misplaced to Finland in final yr’s quarterfinals.
“Everyone’s in good spirits, so it is excellent,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “Any motivation is nice, however I believe it is a totally different yr, a unique time, and [last year’s loss] was behind us. This yr we now have a full staff and everyone’s enjoying higher than final yr. Everyone’s improved.”
Auger-Aliassime was again on court docket quickly after with Shapovalov in doubles to wrap up the tie with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara.
Machac’s harm was the main focus as Australia marched to a 2-0 lead in opposition to the Czech Republic in Valencia, Spain.
What had gave the impression to be merely cramps when he retired in opposition to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday proved extra severe and long-lasting as Machac performed simply 9 factors in his match with Alexei Popyrin.
Machac was enjoying with bandages round his proper calf and known as for a medical timeout after Popyrin held serve within the first recreation, earlier than retiring at 30-15 down within the second.
“We noticed him final night time, and he did not look too good final night time, so we want him a speedy restoration and hopefully he is again on tour rapidly,” Popyrin mentioned.
Earlier, Thanasi Kokkinakis had given Australia the lead within the opening match by beating Jakub Mensik 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-3. Australia made it 3-0 within the doubles as Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell beat Mensik and Adam Pavlasek 6-4, 6-2.
On an indoor onerous court docket in Zhuhai, China, Germany’s Maximilian Marterer beat Tomas Barrios Vera 6-1, 6-3, then Yannick Hanfmann defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 6-4 to clinch the tie. Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, who’ve misplaced just one cup match, beat Barrios Vera and Matias Soto 6-1, 6-3.
Germany has by no means misplaced to Chile, which did not use an unwell Nicolas Jarry.
The Netherlands picked up its first win in opposition to Brazil in the one one among Thursday’s ties that was determined in doubles. Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp received an in depth match 6-4, 7-6 (5) in opposition to Brazil’s Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo at hand Brazil its second loss in Bologna, Italy.
Brazil had led after Joao Fonseca beat van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-6 (3) within the first match however Tallon Griekspoor leveled the tie with a 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over Thiago Monteiro.
4 teams of groups are enjoying in 4 cities this week to qualify for the eight-team Finals in Malaga, Spain, in November. The highest two international locations in every four-team group advance.
