After winning their three meetings against Italy on Wednesday, the Canadian Davis Cup team is well placed to face the Swedes again in Bologna.
This group stage game will be broadcast live on TVA Sports from Bologna, Italy.
After veteran Vasek Pospisil snatched a 7-6 (5), 5-7 and 6-2 victory from Leo Borg, the 334th player in the world and son of former No. 1 Björn Borg, on Thursday, Quebecer Gabriel Diallo also defeated Elias Ymer 6-4 and 6-3 to maintain the perfect Maple Leaf record. A double game is on the agenda: Pospisil should basically be used again, this time alongside Alexis Galarneau. The duo will face Andre Goransson and Filip Bergevi.
Facing the 175th racket on the international board, Diallo (158th) was uncompromising with balls in hand as he never had to save his serve once. In contrast, he managed three breaks on six occasions, including the one that confirmed his triumph.
“Things are on my side at the moment because of the quality of my game. It’s easy to stay positive, but today I expected everything given my level and his. Except rankings mean nothing this week because playing for the nation can inspire athletes. That’s why none of us look at the rankings. “We show up on the pitch to compete with as much enthusiasm as possible and try to win,” the winner said in a post-match interview. We are well managed, the employees are sensational and open-hearted [Dancevic] is an excellent captain. He knows how to get us going.”
“I am satisfied with my performance. There were no break points against me and I must certainly do something good on serve,” he continued.
Hard for Pospisil
Previously, despite the youth of his 20-year-old opponent, Pospisil had problems on the court, particularly in the third set when he was occasionally plagued by cramps. However, two breaks and errors on Borg’s serve made the British Columbian’s task easier.
Pospisil, ranked 187th in the ATP rankings, dominated 24-4 on the aces and committed three double faults compared to six for Borg.
“It’s very humid here and I tried to hold on by speeding up the game a little. I wanted to play short points, go to the net more and force the score,” he admitted in an interview on the court after the game. Towards the end of the second run I started to feel bad. There was more tension and I haven’t played many games recently. I was more nervous and in Davis Cup there are more emotions and you want to win. Fatigue set in, then there were cramps at the start of the third period.”
“I honestly don’t know how I won that match. I took some great shots,” he added.
Canada, playing in the Section A group stage, is at the top and will face Chile on Saturday. He meets Italy on Friday. Barring an unlikely turn of events, captain Frank Dancevic’s side will take part in the Davis Cup final, scheduled to take place from November 21st to 26th.