Canada and Brazil each won one singles match on Friday in their Davis Cup Qualifiers first-round tie at UBC's Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Centre in Vancouver, leaving the tie level heading into Saturday's decisive matches. According to Tennis Canada, whichever nation wins two of the three remaining matches will advance to the Qualifiers Second Round in September.
How did Liam Draxl perform?
Liam Draxl defeated Brazil's No. 1 Joao Lucas Reis da Silva 6-3, 6-3 to give Canada an early 1-0 lead. The 24-year-old from Newmarket, ranked No. 146 in the world, saved four of five break points and extended rallies that forced his opponent into unforced errors, finishing with 17 compared to Reis da Silva's 38, according to Tennis Canada.
What happened in Gabriel Diallo's match?
Gabriel Diallo, Canada's No. 1 player, lost to Gustavo Heide in three sets, levelling the tie at 1-1. The loss meant neither nation could establish a commanding position on the opening day of the qualifier.
Saturday will determine which team advances, with two victories needed to secure passage to the next stage of the qualifying competition.
Sources
- Tennis Canada: Canada Level with Brazil at Davis Cup After Splitting Singles on Friday. Tennis Canada, date unknown.
Reported from public sources.