Félix Auger-Aliassime clinched the Davis Cup Qualifiers Second Round tie for Canada in the No. 1 singles match on Saturday at Centre Videotron in Quebec City. His victory over Arthur Rinderknech gave the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead, securing their spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, in November.
Canada came into Saturday needing just one point out of three matches to win the tie after a pair of singles wins from Liam Draxl and Auger-Aliassime on Friday. France won the doubles to stay alive but the local boy was not going to miss a second chance to clinch, winning in three sets to seal the victory for Canada.
Canada will face Czechia in the quarter-finals in Bologna on Nov. 24 at 10:00 am EST. 4:00 pm local.
Results
Friday, Sep. 18: Canada leads 2-0
- Liam Draxl (CAN) d. Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) 6-2, 7-5 READ MORE
- Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) d. Quentin Halys (FRA) 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 READ MORE
Saturday, Sep. 19: Canada wins 3-1
- Benjamin Bonzi / Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) d. Félix Auger-Aliassime / Duncan Chan (CAN) 7-6(4), 6-3 READ MORE
- Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) d. Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 READ MORE
CLICK HERE for the draw analysis.
Overview
For the first time since 1974, Team Canada presented by IGA contested a Davis Cup tie in Quebec City. Canada hosted France in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Second Round on September 18 and 19 at the Videotron Centre.
The tie was best-of-five matches, with each match being best-of-three sets. The winning nation advanced to November’s Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, Italy. A defeat sent the losing nation to next year’s Davis Cup Qualifiers First Round in February.
This tie marked Canada’s fourth consecutive home tie in Davis Cup competition. Canada last played on the road in November 2024 at the Final 8 in Malaga, Spain. In 2025, Team Canada lost their Qualifiers First Round tie to Hungary in Montreal but defeated Israel in September in Halifax in the World Group I to get back in the Qualifiers First Round in 2026. This past February, Canada defeated Brazil in Vancouver to reach this stage of the competition.
CLICK HERE to read more about Canada’s Qualifiers First Round victory over Brazil.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the history of tennis in Quebec City.
How to watch
Team Canada presented by IGA’s 2026 Davis Cup 2nd Round Qualifier against France was nationally broadcast live by TVA Sports in French and TSN in English, while BeIN France covered the event at the international level.
The Teams
Team Canada was led by the Quebec City-raised Félix Auger-Aliassime. The world No. 5 was joined by Liam Draxl, Duncan Chan, and Keegan Rice. Chan and Rice were nominated to Team Canada for the first time. Draxl was the only player on Team Canada who participated in February’s Qualifiers First Round tie in Vancouver, winning both of his singles matches, including the fifth and deciding match. With the absences of Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau, Draxl now owns the streak for most consecutive Davis Cup participations for Team Canada with four straight ties. Frank Dancevic is the team captain.
CLICK HERE to meet the members of Team Canada.
It was be a homecoming for Félix Auger-Aliassime this week in Quebec City for Canada’s Second Round Qualifiers tie against France. Before taking the court at Centre Vidéotron, Auger-Aliassime graciously accepted to open up about his childhood, playing tennis with his dad, and what it means to have this opportunity. This is what he wanted to share with Team Canada fans, in his own words.
Canadian captain Frank Dancevic spoke to the press on Tuesday ahead of the tie, talking about the new experience of playing in Quebec City and Félix Auger-Aliassime's leadership of Team Canada. CLICK HERE to read more.
The visitors were led by world No. 32 Arthur Rinderknech. Team France also featured Quentin Halys, Benjamin Bonzi, Luca Van Assche, and doubles specialist Pierre-Hugues Herbert. They are captained by Paul-Henri Mathieu. French No. 1 Arthur Fils was originally part of the lineup but withdrew after his early exit at the US Open.
CLICK HERE to meet the members of Team France.
On the Ground in Quebec City
Click the links below to see what Team Canada has been up to in Quebec City:
- Félix Auger-Aliassime's guide to Quebec City
- Team Canada is putting in the reps ahead of Davis Cup action in Québec City
- Meet the Rookies: Duncan Chan and Keegan Rice
- Team Canada is ready to bring the vibes to Centre Videotron
- Experience Meets the Next Generation
- Tennis pros 🎾 ➡️ gaming pros...? 🎮
- Serving bagels… literally 🥯
- Every practice needs a pal 🥹🎾
- One final practice
- Adding a little colour to Centre Vidéotron 🎨
- Team Canada attempts to recreate the sound of cracking open a fresh can 🔊🎾
- Félix reflects on stepping into a new role with Team Canada
- French or Canadian inventions? We shall see… 👀
- A message from Félix
- The Davis Cup Bromance we all needed 🥹🫶
- The soundtrack to an unforgettable weekend 🔊❤️
- A Davis Cup weekend to remember in Quebec City ❤️
Feature Photo : Pascal Ratthe
