ATP Cup 2022 Semi-final: Russia vs Canada LIVE – Daniil Medvedev takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime in headline clash – Russia will take on Canada in the second semi-final of the ongoing ATP Cup 2022 on Saturday. The clash will be headline by the singles matchup between World No.2 Daniil Medvedev and up and rising Felix Auger Aliassime, who defeated Alexander Zverev last time out. Russia are defending champions and will be favourites, with Spain having already confirmed as opponents for the final. Follow Insidesport.in for all ATP Cup LIVE Updates.
ATP Cup 2022 Semi-final: Russia vs Canada LIVE – Daniil Medvedev takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime in headline clash – Follow LIVE Updates
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Daniil Medvedev LIVE
For Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is combining playing and captain duties for Canada this week, there is real belief. The World No. 11 has highlighted in his wins over Great Britain’s Daniel Evans and his 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Alexander Zverev of Germany on Thursday, how much he is relishing the atmosphere of the teams’ event.
The 21-year-old now meets his sometime practice partner, Medvedev, for the third time. “We’re going to try to keep that momentum going,” said Auger-Aliassime. “The spirit was really high in the locker room after.”
Auger-Aliassime is already formulating a plan for Medvedev, having lost to the Russian 3-6, 6-4 7-6(7) at Toronto in August 2018 and 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in the US Open semi-finals in September 2021. “We played twice now,” said Auger-Aliassime. “He just does everything really well. As much as he defends really well and makes you play an extra ball, he’s very agile and has a good hand. He also serves really good. So he can get quick points on his serve and then make you work on the return.
“I would say he’s the modern complete player. But I’m going to try to find a way to get him out of his comfort zone and what he likes. It’s going to be a fight. There’s no secret. Sometimes you just have to give the effort, dig deep physically and mentally, and I’m going to have to do that Saturday if I want to give myself a chance.”
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Daniil Medvedev head to head
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US Open NY, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2018 | ATP Masters 1000 Canada Canada |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Daniil Medvedev |
ATP Cup 2022 Semi-final: Russia vs Canada LIVE – Daniil Medvedev takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime in headline clash – Follow LIVE Updates
Denis Shapovalov vs Roman Safiullin LIVE
While Medvedev gets more plaudits, the biggest surprise for Russia has been Roman Safiullin’s ability to raise his game in his No. 2 singles matches against France’s Arthur Rinderknech, James Duckworth of Australia and Italy’s Jannik Sinner. World No. 14 Shapovalov will rightly be cautious in his preparations.
“Now I’m super happy that I could bring two points in singles and help in the doubles,” said Safiullin, following victory over Italy on Thursday. “I was thinking about it [on court]… that I’m standing here and nearby is Top 10 players, three guys. One is [No.] 2, one is [No.] 6 or 7, another one is [No.] 10, and I’m like [No.] 170.
It’s a great feeling, but I showed my best tennis, and hopefully [my ATP] Ranking will be improving and maybe one day I will be also with these guys [on the] same court [and] position, Top 10. This [tournament] gives [me] a lot of confidence, especially [the] first two wins… It’s absolutely giving me more confidence to work more and to improve.”
Shapovalov, who will begin the ATP Cup semi-final against Safiullin, is looking forward to meeting Russia. “I think it’s super exciting,” said Shapovalov, who helped Canada to the 2020 ATP Cup quarter-finals. “I think we’ve got good chances. Obviously, Russia is playing really well. They have got Daniil Medvedev, one of best players in the world, so it’s going to be tough. But I believe in us.”
This will be their first-ever professional match against each other.
ATP Cup 2022 Semi-final: Russia vs Canada LIVE – Daniil Medvedev takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime in headline clash – Follow LIVE Updates
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