Davis Cup: Bautista Agut serves Nadal the match point
Spain is still missing a victory for the first Davis Cup success since 2011. Roberto Bautista Agut defeated in the first match of the final Félix Auger-Aliassime in sets. Rafael Nadal can now ensure success against Denis Shapovalov (live on DAZN).
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Nov 24, 2019, 09:27 pm
Two small surprises, the two captains came up with for the first singles in the Davis Cup Final 2019: Frank Dancevic, the Canadian team boss, nominated for the first time in the current week Félix Auger-Aliassime. In the matches before Vasek Pospisil had played in the number two position. On the Spanish side, Sergi Bruguera put on Roberto Bautista Agut, who had missed the last two stakes against Argentina and Great Britain because of his father's death.
In the end, the experienced Spaniard prevailed against the Canadian climber with 7: 6 (3) and 6: 3.
Bautista Agut and Auger-Aliassime are not dissimilar in terms of the game layout, both trying to dominate their forehand and serve. However, the 19-year-old Canadian has not fought a match since his second-round trip to Shanghai against Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Bautista Agut fought for a place in the ATP Finals until the end of the regular ATP season.
Nadal can ensure victory
After Bautista Agut had won the first set in the tie-break for himself, it looked like a quick decision in favor of the Spaniards: The veteran made the first break to 2-0, two games later had the chance to 4-0. Auger-Aliassime, however, came back, equalized the break in the fifth game with a ball that was only approved by the Hawkeye for good. Bautista Agut did not hang down for a long time and pulled away 4: 2. And served without problems to guide the Spaniards.
After this success, Rafael Nadal, who has been untouchable this week, can secure the Spaniards' first Davis Cup triumph since 2011 with a win over Denis Shapovalov. At the time Nadal had beaten Juan Martin del Potro in four sets in the third single and brought his team 3: 1 unassailable lead.