Canada wins tie vs. Chile, clinches spot in Davis Cup Final 8 stage in MAlaga

After a day of rest, Team Canada presented by Sobeys entered Saturday’s match against Chile with their eyes set on clinching their berth in the Davis Cup Final 8 stage in Malaga, Spain. After Italy swept Chile 3-0 on Friday, the Canadians needed to win just one out of their three matches to officially qualify.

Galarneau has been a revelation for Canada at this stage of the Davis Cup, coming up clutch in all his singles and doubles matches so far. He continued his dominant play against Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday, defeating the Chilean in the opening match of the tie and securing Canada’s spot in the finals.

With their spot secured in the Davis Cup Final 8 stage, the pressure was slightly relieved for Canada for their last two matches of the tie. Diallo, who played lights out in his first two matches against Italy and Sweden, couldn’t go a perfect 3-0 and Canada was handed their first loss of the Davis Cup Finals group stage by Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.

Don’t fix what isn’t broken; Galarneau and Pospisil teamed up for their third doubles match of the week after winning their first two, and they kept the streak alive against Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera and Alejandro Tabilo. The pair secured Canada their third tie victory of the week, as the team finished a collective 8-1 in their nine matches.

GALARNEAU STAYS PERFECT VS. TABILO

Galarneau jumped out to an early lead after breaking Tabilo in the sixth game to go up 4-2, but Tabilo broke him right back in the following tightly-contested game. Galarneau wasn’t fazed, immediately breaking Tabilo for a second time, and going on to win the first set 6-3.

The 24-year-old Canadian impressively fought off three set points with his back against the wall in the 10^th game of the second set but prevailed to tie things up 5-5. In the eventual tiebreak, Galarneau stormed out to a 4-0 lead, and held on to win 7-5, winning the match 6-3, 7-6(5).

Read also: Pospisil Keeps Producing his Davis Cup Magic

With the win, Canada has booked their spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 stage in Malaga, Spain in November and remain undefeated at the Davis Cup Finals group stage. Up next for Canada, Gabriel Diallo takes on Nicolas Jarry.

DIALLO COMES UP SHORT, CANADA HANDED FIRST LOSS IN BOLOGNA

Diallo, whose thunderous serve was one his strongest points so far at the Davis Cup, was immediately broken by Jarry in his opening service. Jarry was able to hold from there on out, winning 6-4 and handing Diallo his first set loss in Bologna.

Read also: Canada Shows Championship Pedigree at Davis Cup

The second set played out much like the first, as Jarry broke Diallo in his opening service and went on to win 6-4, winning the match 6-4, 6-4.

Despite the loss, Diallo’s spirits still appeared high as the youngster capped off an incredible week in Bologna.

GALARNEAU, POSPISIL CAP OFF NEAR PERFECT WEEK FOR CANADA

Galarneau and Pospisil jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening set, and never looked back as they eventually took it 6-3. They won 82 per cent of their first serve points, and entered the second set with the goal of finishing the week undefeated in all the matches they participated in.

Both sides held their own services throughout much of the second set, until the 10^th game when the Chileans had the Canadians up against the wall. With Pospisil serving, the Canadians managed to storm back by saving three set points and winning the game.  In the eventual tiebreak, both sides traded points until Canada finally broke through to win 9-7, and the match 6-3, 7-6(7).

The win concludes Canada’s Davis Cup Finals group stage play, as they won all three ties and eight of their nine matches overall. Canada comes out as the winner of Group A comprised of Italy, Sweden and Chile.

Next up for Team Canada: Malaga, Spain in November for the Davis Cup Final 8 stage!