Pumped up after claiming one of the ATP Cup’s biggest upsets, Canada’s Denis Shapovalov has now set his sights on spoiling Australia’s party in Brisbane on Sunday.
Big-serving Shapovalov is still buzzing after spearheading Canada’s 3-0 opening win over Greece, sparked by his boilover straight-sets win against world No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas at Pat Rafter Arena.
It extended the world No.15’s stunning run of form that helped Canada reach their very first Davis Cup final in November, an historic campaign that included a quarter-final victory over Australia.
After sparking mass celebrations for Canada against a shellshocked Greece, Shapovalov, 20, wants to play party pooper against hosts Australia.
The left-hander lines up against world No.18 Alex de Minaur on Sunday and is also set to feature in what could be a deciding doubles rubber.
“It means a lot,” he said of the momentum from his triumph over Tsitsipas.
“And it’s always amazing to be part of the team. I always feel like I thrive off that atmosphere.”
De Minaur triumphed over Shapovalov in three thrilling sets in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Madrid before the Canadian young gun rebounded to break Australian hearts by helping claim the deciding doubles clash.
Two months after their remarkable Davis Cup rise, Shapavalov was confident of maintaining their momentum in Brisbane.
“It was a great step for us in the Davis Cup. We beat a lot of great teams that we hadn’t before,” he said.
“It’s a few months later in different conditions, a lot hotter, but hopefully we can do just as good a job.”
But Canada face a very different Australian outfit in Brisbane.
The hosts are full of confidence after de Minaur upset world No.7 Alexander Zverev to help Australia sweep Germany 3-0 in Friday’s opener.
And Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt hinted de Minaur was just getting warmed up.
“I think his all-around game (has improved since last year),” Hewitt said.
“Even his movement has gone to another level. He’s certainly getting bigger with his power from the back of the court.
“And he’s won his last four matches for Australia. He’s got to take a lot of confidence from that.”
Germany will play Greece in Brisbane’s night session on Sunday.
In Perth on day three of the 24-team ATP Cup, Italy take on Norway before world No.5 Daniil Medvedev’s Russia face USA.
And in Sydney on Sunday, Bulgaria battles minnows Moldova before Belgium clashes with Great Britain.