Photo : Pascal Ratthe
Overview
Team Canada presented by IGA was defeated in their Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Round tie by Hungary on Sunday at IGA Stadium in Montreal.
The tie was clinched when Marton Fucsovics defeated Alexis Galarneau in the fifth and final match to claim a 3-2 win for the visitors. Canada had forced the tie to a fifth match after mounting a thrilling comeback from 0-2 down courtesy of a doubles win from Liam Draxl and Vasek Pospisil and a singles upset from Gabriel Diallo.
However, Fucsovics took the deciding match to win the tie for the visitors.
Canada will now play in the Davis Cup World Group I in September, another home-and-away tie, against an opponent to be determined by a draw in the coming weeks. They will need to win that tie to return to the Qualifiers in February 2026.
Team Canada was looking to win a qualifying tie in Montreal for the second year in a row after beating the Republic of Korea in February 2024. The loss is Canada’s first in the Davis Cup on home soil since 2017.
Results:
- Saturday, Feb. 1: Hungary Leads 2-0
- Fabian Marozsan (HUN) d. Alexis Galarneau (CAN) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 (Match Report)
- Marton Fucosvics (HUN) d. Gabriel Diallo (CAN) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 (Match Report)
Analysis: Canada Faces Uphill Battle Against Hungary after Day 1
- Sunday, Feb. 2: Hungary Wins 3-2
- Liam Draxl/Vasek Pospisil (CAN) d. Peter Fajta/Mate Valkusz (HUN) 7-6(2), 6-4 (Match Report)
- Gabriel Diallo (CAN) d. Fabian Marozsan (HUN) 6-1, 6-3 (Match Report)
- Marton Fucsovics (HUN) d. Alexis Galarneau (CAN) 7-6(8), 6-4 (Match Report)
Analysis: Canada Gave It Everything at Davis Cup, Now a Tough Road Begins
CLICK HERE to read the draw analysis.
The Teams
Four of the five men who represented Canada a year ago were back in Montreal this time around. Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau, Liam Draxl, and Vasek Pospisil all returned for the hosts. Cleeve Harper joined the team for the 2025 qualifiers first round. The squad was captained by Frank Dancevic.
Diallo, Galarneau, and Pospisil were a part of Team Canada at every stage of the 2024 Davis Cup. Shapovalov represented Canada at the Finals, both in the group stage and Final 8.
CLICK HERE to meet the members of Team Canada.
Denis Shapovalov was originally nominated for Team Canada but was forced to withdraw with a back injury suffered at the Australian Open. Harper was nominated in his stead and will be participating in his first Davis Cup tie.
Standing in Canada’s way was Team Hungary. The Hungarians were led by world No. 59 Fabian Maroszan and No. 96 Marton Fucsovics. Joining the two Top 100 players are No. 524 Peter Fajta, No. 1093 Mate Valkusz, and No. 1421 Adam Jilly. Hungary is captained by Kornel Bardoczky.
CLICK HERE to meet the members of Team Hungary.
It was the first meeting between Canada and Hungary in Davis Cup competition. Hungary has never qualified for the Davis Cup Finals since the format was changed in 2019 and had never won a World Group tie prior to the switch. Canada is just over two years removed from winning the title in 2022.
Read also: January Mailbag – Tom Tebbutt on Rising Stars and Experiences with Legends
On the Ground in Montreal
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, Team Canada held an open practice at IGA Stadium. More than 50 fans stopped by to watch Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau tune up their games for two hours before Liam Draxl and Cleeve Harper joined for some friendly competition.
The four members of Team Canada took part in a target practice game, where the players took turns trying to hit pylons with their serves, the goal being to hit the target the most times in five minutes. Diallo was victorious.
On Wednesday, captain Dancevic spoke to the media at IGA Stadium about his excitement for the tie, the upsides of playing in Montreal, and how recent results on tour could affect his lineup decisions. CLICK HERE to read what the captain had to say.
Social Corner
Who is the best player on Team Canada with a tennis ball…… can?
During Wednesday’s open practice, the Canadian players put pink grips on their racquets in support of Gabriela Dabrowski and her battle with breast cancer. The team spoke about the decision and why they felt it was important:
2024 Qualifiers in Montreal
It was the second year in a row that Montreal is hosting a Davis Cup qualifiers tie in February.
Having not played at home in over five years, Team Canada held their first Davis Cup tie on home soil when they were drawn to play the Republic of Korea and won the lottery to host the tie.
Despite being without their top two players, the Canadian squad defeated the Republic of Korea 3-1 to advance to the 2024 Davis Cup Finals group stage. Gabriel Diallo was the hero in his hometown, winning a pair of singles matches including the clinching point. Vasek Pospisil added a singles win.
2024 Davis Cup Finals
Group Stage
Drawn in Group D for the Group Stage in Manchester, the full-strength Canadian squad led by Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov cruised to the top of the group, winning all three of their ties against Argentina, Finland, and Great Britain, going 7-2 in matches overall and not losing a set in singles all week to punch their ticket to the Final 8.
- Tie 1: Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime Power Canada Past Argentina
- Tie 2: Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov Dominate as Canada Sweeps Finland
- Tie 3: Canada Defeats Britain to Win Group D at Davis Cup Finals
Final 8
For the second time in three years in Malaga, Canada faced off with Germany in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup. Shapovalov, Diallo, Galarneau, Pospisil, and Milos Raonic represented Canada, although only Shapovalov and Diallo played in Southern Spain.
Canada was unable to recreate their 2022 victory over the Germans, losing both singles matches to see their 2024 Davis Cup campaign end in the last eight.
- Quarter-final: Canada Eliminated by Germany in Davis Cup Quarter-Finals
Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Round tie between Canada and Hungary are now on sale. Join us February 1 and 2 at IGA Stadium in Montreal, as the Canadian team begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Final 8. To access tickets at early-bird pricing, click here.
