World No. 11 Felix Auger-Aliassim said he was very excited after winning the ATP Cup, adding that relying on each other was key to Canada’s win in Sydney.
Auger Aliassim, 21, defeated world number 19 Roberto Bautista Agut 7:6(3), 6:3 on Sunday. Auger-Aliassim’s victory over Bautista Agut sealed victory for Canada when Denis Shapovalov defeated Pablo Carreo Busta in the first match of the ATP Cup Final.
“The feelings are unbelievable. There is no better feeling than winning. We left everything out. We fell far behind in this competition and lost our first four matches.
But we never stopped believing,” Auger-Aliassim said, according to the ATP Cup website. “I think it’s very important. We trust each other at the highest level. Dennis and I, everyone on the team – Brayden [Schnur] played solo, steven [Diez] Played in doubles and he supported us all week.
They have a tournament next week but they are here to practice every day, ready to support us. All their egos are side by side and we really trusted each other and it came to the right outcome.
I am very happy for everyone in the team and of course for myself.”
Auger-Aliasim pays tribute to Shapovalov
Shapovalov played in the semi-finals and finals for Canada at a high level.
In the semi-finals Shapovalov defeated Roman Safiulin and then won the deciding double with Auger-Aliassim. Shapovalov played brilliant tennis in the final when he defeated Careno Busta to give Canada an early lead.
I couldn’t have asked for a better start than this. If it hadn’t been for Denise the past two days, we wouldn’t be here anymore. I want to congratulate him. He was amazing,” Auger-Aliasim said.
“He’s lost to Careno the last few times and today he won in straight sets. Not easily but won the way he plays well, so honestly he deserves all the credit.”
