Staff Canada offered by IGA will lean on their depth this weekend within the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical in opposition to Hungary, with 4 of the 5 gamers on the staff anticipated to play throughout the 5 matches. The draw for the weekend’s tie was made on Friday at IGA Stadium in Montreal, the location of the qualifying encounter.
Captain Frank Dancevic nominated Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau to play singles for Canada, with veteran Vasek Pospisil and rookie Liam Draxl teaming up within the doubles. With this lineup, no Canadian is predicted to play each singles and doubles.
The identical can’t be stated for the Hungarians, who nominated their top-ranked participant, Fabian Marozsan, to play singles and doubles. Hungary caught to their rankings with their nominations, going with Maroszan and Marton Fucsovics in singles.
On Saturday, Galarneau will open the tie in opposition to Hungarian No. 1 Marozsan, adopted by Canadian No. 1 Diallo taking over Fucsovics. Draxl and Pospisil will kick off the motion on Sunday within the doubles in opposition to the Hungarian pair of Marozsan and Mate Valkusz. The doubles shall be adopted by the battle of No. 1s, pitting Diallo in opposition to Marozsan. If crucial, Galarneau and Fucsovics may very well be referred to as upon to resolve the tie within the fifth and remaining match on Sunday.
“I’m glad to have the ability to set the tone, to provide vitality to the staff, to ship an excellent efficiency,” stated Galarneau after studying he would play the opening match. “Two years in the past in Italy, I performed the primary match. It brings motivation, an additional stress that if it’s well-managed, is a constructive. I’m excited for it.”
In truth, Galarneau performed the opening match for Canada twice in Italy through the 2023 Finals Group Stage. He went 2-0, beating higher-ranked opponents each occasions. He has a 2-1 report general in singles in Davis Cup.
CLICK HERE to fulfill the members of Staff Canada.
On paper, regardless of Canada being the higher-ranked nation (No. 3, Hungary is No. 22), the Hungarian gamers maintain the sting with regards to ATP rankings. Marozsan is the highest-ranked participant within the tie at No. 58 whereas Fucsovics can also be contained in the High 100 at No. 96. Diallo is the lone Canadian contained in the High 100 at No. 85 whereas Galarneau is the lowest-ranked participant nominated for singles at No. 176.
Diallo was requested if he felt the truth that Hungary has their two highest-ranked gamers, whereas Canada is with out their prime two, makes the hosts the underdog. The Montrealer disagreed, saying, “Underdog? No, I don’t assume so as a result of we’re enjoying at residence. To me, after we play at residence, we’re by no means the underdog. Particularly in Montreal for me personally. Final yr we had success right here, we had a really related staff.”
Diallo has performed within the No. 1 spot for Canada in 5 Davis Cup ties, together with final yr in Montreal in opposition to the Republic of Korea. He has a 4-2 report enjoying because the Canadian No. 1, together with two wins at this stage final yr.
Three of the 4 singles matches on the schedule after Friday’s draw shall be a primary assembly between the gamers.
CLICK HERE to fulfill the members of Staff Hungary.
Solely Galarneau and Fucsovics have met earlier than, and that was simply final week at an ATP Challenger occasion in Oeiras, Portugal. Galarneau defeated the Hungarian in straight units.
“It wasn’t the perfect match of my profession, that’s for positive,” stated Fucsovics throughout Staff Hungary’s press convention on Friday. “Within the final months, I used to be struggling slightly bit, I had a few accidents so I’m nonetheless making an attempt to recuperate. However this week I used to be working very exhausting and spent plenty of time on the courtroom so I’m beginning to really feel assured once more and I believe I’m prepared for the weekend. I’m very motivated.”
Draxl is at the moment the highest-ranked Canadian within the ATP doubles rankings at No. 113. He already has an ATP Challenger title to his identify in 2025, having gained in Oeiras final week with Cleeve Harper, and gained six doubles titles in 2024. He shall be making his Davis Cup debut.
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Harper can also be part of Staff Canada this weekend however was not chosen to play.
Draxl and Pospisil shall be teaming up in doubles for the primary time. They’ve by no means performed knowledgeable doubles match collectively earlier than. Draxl shall be Pospisil’s ninth totally different accomplice in Davis Cup competitors because the British Columbian made his Staff Canada debut in 2008.
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When requested how he felt about attending to staff up with considered one of Canada’s most skilled and embellished Davis Cup gamers in Pospisil, Draxl stated, “It’s tremendous cool. Rising up, watching Vasek play Davis Cup, watching him win Wimbledon, it’s undoubtedly tremendous cool to play with such a Davis Cup legend. He’s gained so many large matches for the nation. I’m actually pumped to get on the market and play.”
Throughout Staff Canada’s press convention, Pospisil was requested if this weekend’s tie may very well be his remaining look in Davis Cup competitors. The veteran of 35 Davis Cup ties, together with this weekend, was clear that he was not confirming that this might be his final time suiting up for Canada however did say “I’ll be making some form of resolution this yr” and acknowledged that it may in reality be his remaining time representing Canada.
“I simply wish to soak it in and revel in it. There’s a excessive probability that this shall be my final tie so I’m going to attempt to get pleasure from it the perfect I can,” stated Pospisil. “However on the similar time, I’m right here to do the job and I wish to contribute to the staff and get the win within the doubles. That’s the principle focus and check out to not get too distracted with the truth that it might be the final one. However after all, it’s nonetheless at the back of my thoughts and I’ll simply attempt to benefit from the week.”
Pospisil has a 17-13 profession report in Davis Cup doubles matches.
Galarneau and Marozsan will get the tie underway on Saturday at 12:45 pm at IGA Stadium in Montreal.
CLICK HERE for all the pieces you must know in regards to the 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical in Montreal.
Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical tie between Canada and Hungary at the moment are on sale. Be part of us February 1 and a pair of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian staff begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Ultimate 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.
