Davis Cup: Australia knocked out in quarterfinals by Canada

Lachlan McKirdy

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Davis Cup: Australia knocked out in quarterfinals by Canada image

Australia has been knocked out of the Davis Cup Finals after losing their quarterfinal tie with Canada 2-1. 

Questions were asked of captain Lleyton Hewitt after the decision not to play Nick Kyrgios for Australia's first singles.

John Millman took on Vasek Pospisil and it looked like a good decision early after he broke the Canadian in just the second game. 

But Millman eventually lost to world no. 150 Pospisil in straight sets, 7-6 6-4. 

MORE: Andy Murray not certain to play Davis Cup quarter-final, says Great Britain captain

There was no announcement from the Australian camp as to why Kyrgios didn't play in the rubber, citing that he just wasn't named for the tie. 

Eventually, it was announced that Kyrgios was suffering from a collarbone issue that meant he couldn't play against Pospisil. 

That meant Australia's number one men's player Alex De Minaur was left to keep the tie alive against Denis Shapovalov. 

It was a tough task for De Minaur against the world number 15, losing the first set 6-3 with Shapovalov looking in top form. 

The Demon fought back though, producing some classic tennis and using his trademark tenacity to keep himself in the game. 

He eventually won the match 3-6 6-3 7-5 after converting a crucial break point late in the third set and then serving out the match.


It was clearly an emotional victory for the Australians who were leaving no stone unturned in their quest for Davis Cup success. 

The passion they put on the court was clear for all to see. 


De Minaur spoke about the clash post-match, saying he knew it "wasn't going to be easy". 

“It was one of those matches where I had to try and keep going and give myself chances," De Minaur said on-court post-match.

"It was important to get that break at the end and win the match for my team and keep us alive for the doubles.

“I felt like I am playing for my teammates, playing for my country there was no chance I was going to show any negative emotion and work hard every single point to give myself the chance to win.”

That meant the tie went down to the doubles, with Jordan Thompson and John Peers to battle Pospisil and Shapovalov for a place in the semifinals. 

However, it was clear the Canadians were a class above from the start, closing out the first set 6-4. 

The Australians raced out to a 3-0 lead in the second as it looks like they were getting back into the tie, but it wasn't to be. 

Canada won six of the next seven games to take the second set 6-4 and book their place in the semifinals. 

It was a disappointing way to go out of the Davis Cup for Australia after their impressive wins over Belgium and Colombia in the group stages. 

The overwhelming feeling from fans was bewilderment at why Lleyton Hewitt chose to leave Nick Kyrgios out of the opening singles tie in favour of John Millman. 





It appears that in the post-match conference it has been confirmed that Kyrgios was dealing with a collarbone injury and that was why he didn't play against Canada. 


 

 

Lachlan McKirdy

Lachlan McKirdy Photo