After a thrilling week of tennis in Madrid at the inaugural Davis Cup Finals, just two teams remain in contention for the title. But will it be hosts Spain, who are led by world #1 Rafael Nadal, or the underdog’s Canada who claim victory in the 2019 Davis Cup final?
Davis Cup Final Prediction – Spain vs Canada
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: first meeting
After the death of his father this week, it is to Roberto Bautista Agut’s great credit that he has returned to try and help his team over the line in the Davis Cup final. The Spaniard has enjoyed an excellent season, highlighted by a quarterfinal showing at Melbourne Park and a run to the semifinals at Wimbledon. And although his involvement in the Davis Cup Finals has thus far been limited, he excels in fast conditions and should be a real threat in this rubber.
But he will need to be at his best up against the talented teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian has emerged as a real force in the men’s game this year, with his big serve and powerful groundstrokes likely ensuring he will be a significant factor in the future of the sport. However, it is surely a risk to throw Auger-Aliassime into the fray at this stage, with the world #21 having not yet played in Madrid having struggled with fitness earlier in the week. Up against the relentless consistency of Bautista Agut, that could well spell trouble.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
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Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: Nadal 1-1 Shapovalov
This should be a thrilling, and potentially decisive, battle. Denis Shapovalov has found a rich vein of form over the past two months, winning his first title at the Stockholm Open before reaching the final in Bercy. He is yet to taste defeat in Madrid in singles, having won all three of his matches at the Davis Cup Finals. In the semifinals, he delivered a superb performance to beat Karen Khachanov and keep Canadian hopes alive, before winning the decisive doubles rubber alongside Vasek Pospisil.
He has also beaten Nadal before, stunning the Spaniard in Montreal in 2017. But Nadal had his revenge last season on the clay courts at the Foro Italico, demolishing Shapovalov in straight-sets, 6-4 6-1. The world #1 also has a phenomenal record in Davis Cup action and has spearheaded his country’s charge into the final, playing and winning seven matches so far this week. He will be full of belief and backed to the hilt by the home crowd. Expect his topspin forehand to provide him with a weapon that, for all his power, Shapovalov simply cannot match.
Prediction: Nadal in 2
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Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez vs Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil
Head-to-head: N/A
Pospisil has played a vital role in securing his side’s place in the Davis Cup final. The former-Wimbledon doubles champion has reminded the tennis world just what an effective player he can be at his best. But he and Shapovalov look set for a potentially tough assignment against the Spanish duo of Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez, who have played considerably more doubles than the Canadians this season, albeit not as a partnership.
Nonetheless, they will present a formidable obstacle to Canadian aspirations. Of the two, Granollers is the more traditional doubles player, with the 33-year-old, who has three-times been a Grand Slam finalist in the discipline, one of the best volleyers in the men’s game. Lopez, meanwhile, brings an excellent serve and forehand to his team, as well as good touch in the forecourt. Shapovalov and Pospisil have plenty of power of their own and Pospisil’s quality around the net should not be overlooked. But it is ultimately hard to look past the Spanish pairing’s greater experience.
Prediction: Granollers and Lopez in 3
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