What a weekend it was for Canadian tennis.
It all started in Quebec City, where over 22 000 fans came together to witness Team Canada presented by IGA punch their ticket to the Davis Cup by Generali Final 8 in Bologna, Italy. Then, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Gabriela Dabrowski added a shiny cherry on top and hoisted the trophy alongside Luisa Stefani.
Here’s what you need to know.
In Case You Missed It: Title for Dabrowski, Davis Cup Final 8 Berth for Canada
Dabrowski and Stefani managed to secure the SP Open title across two days, and two courts, after beating fourth seeds Anna Rogers and Allura Zamarripa 6-3, 3-6, 10-7.
Sunday’s final on Centre Court was moved to Monday on Court 1 following heavy rain in Sao Paulo, which caused the match to be interrupted. The contest restarted with Rogers and Zamarripa serving at 3-4, and Dabrowski and Stefani didn’t waste any time getting on the front foot. The top seeds broke right out of the gates, before serving out the opening set.
Dabrowski and Stefani continued to pile the pressure in the second, holding five break points in their first three return games, but couldn’t convert on any. Despite the promising start from Dabrowski and Stefani, it was Rogers and Zamarripa who grabbed hold of the set, breaking on their fourth attempt from 2-3, love-40. The Americans held the rest of the way, clinching the second on deciding point at 5-3.
Read also: This Week in Tennis - Jovic Goes Back-To-Back in Guadalajara
In the match tiebreaker, Dabrowski and Stefani were down a mini-break three times but were quickly able to respond on each occasion. On return at 7-6, the Canadian-Brazilian duo won the final four balls of the match to take the championship.
Dabrowski and Stefani have now won titles as a team at each player’s home tournament – victorious at the 2021 National Bank Open presented by Rogers and 2026 SP Open. It is also the first time that Dabrowski has won four trophies in a single season.
Read also: Draxl Delivers Classic Davis Cup Performance in Quebec City
Team Canada are back in the Davis Cup Final 8 following an inspired performance in Quebec City. Centre Vidéotron hosted 22 340 fans, an attendance record for a Davis Cup tie played in Canada, as the Canucks defeated France for the first time in history.
Liam Draxl kicked off the tie on Friday with the biggest win of his career, beating world No. 32 Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets. Félix Auger-Aliassime followed that up with a win over Quentin Halys in the Canadian No. 1’s long-awaited Davis Cup home debut, bringing Canada on the brink of a return to the Final 8.
Read also: Auger-Aliassime Gets to Play the Davis Cup Hero at Home in Quebec City
France extended the tie on Saturday thanks to the doubles win but later, Auger-Aliassime played hero in singles as the Montrealer came back from a set down to defeat Rinderknech, sealing the tie for his country.
Team Canada are back in the Davis Cup Final 8 after a one-year hiatus. The Finals will take place from November 24-29 in Bologna, Italy, and the Canucks will know their quarter-final opponents Tuesday morning.
CLICK HERE for more about Canada’s Davis Cup Qualifiers win.
What to Watch: Fernandez, Shapovalov Begin Asian Swing
A few Canadians will begin their tour of East Asia this week.
Leylah Annie Fernandez's first stop is in Singapore for the WTA 500 event. The Lavalloise was already off to a winning start as she defeated Kyoka Okamura of Japan in straight sets.
Fernandez, the sixth seed, awaits the winner of Alycia Parks and Mei Yamaguchi in round two. If the Canadian No. 2 is victorious in her next match, she could meet top seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarters-finals, who the 24-year-old beat in the National Bank Open third round this year.
Elise Mertens (4) and Maja Chwalinska (5) round up the seeds in the top half of the draw.
Denis Shapovalov touches down in China for the ATP 250 Chengdu Open. The Richmond Hillian enters as the seventh seed and faces world No. 55 Tallon Griekspoor in his opening match. A trip to the quarter-finals could bring him up against third seed Alejandro Tabilo, then the Canuck can potentially play top seed Valentin Vacherot in the semis.
Read also: Dancevic Embracing New Experience at Davis Cup in Quebec City
Alexis Galarneau could join Shapovalov in the Chengdu main draw as he begins qualifying on Tuesday.
Under the Radar: Mercier, Venos Double Up
Good things seemed to happen for Canadians in Quebec as Clémence Mercier doubled up at the J200 Montreal.
Mercier hoisted the singles trophy without dropping a set, beating fourth seed Reiley Rhodes in the semifinals and third seed Ellery Mendell for the title. The Saint-Roch-Ouest, QC-native, who is a member of the NTC presented by Rogers Class of 2025-2026, earned the biggest title of her career, following her triumph at the J100 Calgary earlier this year.
Then, in doubles, Mercier and Avery Alexander made easy work of the draw. The Canadians toughest test was their opening match, which they won 7-5, 6-3. The rest of the way, Mercier and Alexander conceded only ten games in their final three matches, defeating fellow Canadians Sophie Dement and Andrea Taylor to get their hands on the trophy.
The boys’ doubles draw also had Canadian champions as Andy Tchinda Kepche and Brayden Woo secured the title.
Read also: Tennis Set to Take Centre Stage in Quebec City Once More During Davis Cup
Thomas Venos lived up to his billing as the top seed at the WC50 Gold River. Canada’s No. 1 in men’s wheelchair tennis received a bye into the quarter-finals, then dropped just 12 games en route to the winner’s circle. The Anmore, BC-native defeated second seed Francesco Felici of Italy 6-1, 6-4 in the final.
"Solid weekend for me here. I’m slowly finding my way back to my best game, which I haven’t been at for the last couple tournaments," Venos said post match. "I came into the final with a solid game plan and executed it very well. My opponent started playing much better in the second which forced me to raise my game and I am happy that I was able to get it done.”
Read also: Thomas Venos Talks Playing on Home Soil and Representing Canada
Venos then teamed with compatriot Barry Henderson to win the doubles title, comfortably winning both of their matches.
Feature Photo: WTA
