The Australian team has finished runners-up in the 2022 Davis Cup competition, the nation’s best result in 19 years.
Malaga, Spain, 28 November 2022 | Leigh Rogers
Australia’s quest to win a 29th Davis Cup title – and first in 19 years – has fallen short.
Canada was too strong in the 2022 Davis Cup final today in Malaga, powering to a 2-0 victory against the Australian team.
Leading into the final, Aussie captain Lleyton Hewitt revealed he was wary of Canada’s “firepower”. And Canadian stars Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime demonstrated exactly why, producing sensational displays to lead their nation to a first Davis Cup title.
Shapovalov struck 23 winners to five in a commanding 6-2 6-4 victory against Thanasi Kokkinakis in the opening singles rubber.
A shell-shocked Kokkinakis, who had never previously faced world No.18 Shapovalov, had no answers against his big-hitting opponent.
“I’m just a bit off the pace at the moment. I haven’t played enough tennis. Haven’t found my confidence yet,” said world No.95 Kokkinakis.
“I’m pretty flat, to be honest. All credit to Denis. He played well. He’s had a lot of matches. He’s a good player.”
Faced with the challenge of needing to beat world No.6 Auger-Aliassime to keep Australia’s hopes alive, Alex de Minaur produced a spirited effort in the second singles rubber.
However, Auger-Aliassime’s relentless pressure proved too much to handle.
The in-form 22-year-old Canadian fired 16 winners to five to outplay world No.24 De Minaur. This helped Auger-Aliassime record a 6-3 6-4 victory and secure the Davis Cup title for his nation.
Auger-Aliassime thrived under pressure, saving all eight break points he faced in the high-quality one-hour, 39-minute encounter.
🇨🇦 WORLD CHAMPIONS 🇨🇦
After 109 years Canada have won their first EVER Davis Cup 👏🤩#DavisCup #byRakuten | @TennisCanada pic.twitter.com/tVwqbVClFG
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 27, 2022
This is Australia’s 20th runners-up finish, from 48 finals appearances, in the prestigious team competition.
| Australia’s Davis Cup finals appearances |
||
| Result | Years | Total |
| Champions | 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1914, 1919, 1939, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1973, 1977, 1983, 1986, 1999, 2003 | 28 |
| Finalists | 1912, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1936, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1990, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2022 | 20 |
As a 2022 finalist, Australia receives direct entry into the 16-nation round-robin stage of the 2023 Davis Cup Finals next September.
Aussies in action – 2022 Davis Cup Finals
RESULTS
Final
CANADA d AUSTRALIA 2-0
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) d Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 6-2 6-4
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) d Alex de Minaur (AUS) 6-3 6-4
Felix Auger-Aliassime/Vasek Pospisil (CAN) v Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson (AUS) not played
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