Agony for Russia as they lose to Canada in epic Davis Cup semifinal
Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov suffered Davis Cup agony as they were beaten in a decisive three-set doubles epic by Canadian pair Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil in Madrid.
With the tie level at 1-1 after the singles matches, Shapovalov and Pospisil won a nail-biting decisive doubles rubber 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7), and will now face either Spain or Great Britain in Sunday’s final.
For Russian pairing Rublev and Khachanov it was an agonising defeat after a mammoth effort in what was a thrilling, topsy-turvy tie.
Into the final!
Canada are into the Davis Cup final 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) over Russia.#RUSCAN #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/Tqj2Xx7VWX
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
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Russia had stunned Serbia and Novak Djokovic by winning their tie 2-1 on Friday, and played out a similarly thrilling affair with the Canadians in the Spanish capital 24 hours later.
Rublev showed no signs of initial weariness from his exertions against Serbia as he raced out of the traps to beat Vasek Pospisil in straight sets 6-4 6-4 and put Russia 1-0 up in the tie.
It was Rublev’s fourth singles win in four matches in Madrid, as the world number 23 again delivered for his team.
Undefeated in singles this week.@AndreyRublev97 defeats Pospisil 6-4 6-4 to give Russia the lead!
??1️⃣?0️⃣??#RUSCAN #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/C7nDvUjp60
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
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Khachanov appeared in control in the opening stages of his singles tie against Denis Shapovalov as he surged into a 4-1 lead, but the 20-year-old Canadian reeled off five straight games to take the set.
The second set went with serve before world number 17 Khachanov ratcheted up the pressure in game 11, with Shapovalov double-faulting on set point to hand his opponent a way back into the match.
A similarly tight third set ensued in which world number 15 Shapovalov secured the all-important break. Serving for the set and the match, he clawed himself back from 0-40 down to beat Khachanov and send the tie to a decisive doubles rubber.
?? @denis_shapo has come to the party ?
Tops Khachanov 6-4 4-6 6-4 to send this tie to a decider…#RUSCAN #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/nlr3ncPB4H
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
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Russia sent out Khachanov and Rublev while Canada went with pairing Shapovalov and Pospisil, and it was the Canadians who edged the first set 6-3 after they secured a break in game two and held on despite heavy pressure.
But Rublev, a star throughout the week for Russia, stepped up again in the second set with some superb returns and big serving as he and Khachanov leveled the match at one set apiece.
A tense third set ensued as proceedings went with serve, meaning the match and the tie would go to a tiebreak.
Russia egded into a 4-2 lead at the change of ends, but the Canadians reversed the tide to clinch the tiebreak 7-5 and claim a spot in the final.
Agony for Russia as they lose to Canada in epic Davis Cup semifinal
Source: RT