ATP CUP

January 6, 2022

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Denis Shapovalor

Team Canada

Press Conference

F. AUGER-ALIASSIME/A. Zverev

6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Team Canada - 2

Team Germany - 0

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Team Canada. Just your reaction to making the semifinals here at the ATP Cup.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Great. I think we're happy, for sure, especially the way we both played today. We came back from the brink, really. I mean, we were pretty much done with the USA up in that doubles.

Yeah, somehow we got another chance and I think we were, then we were just, it was all about us, about winning our matches and we did super good. I'm proud of the team, Denis, everybody on the bench, these guys also playing doubles now. You know, it's a team effort. I think in the tough moments, like I said on the court, I think everybody was trying to keep me positive, even though I had chances to maybe close it out in straight sets. I think that's also what got me through today.

Q. Denis, what was it like, obviously, watching sort of the ups and downs of that doubles match before you guys and knowing that you are sort of chances rode on that and then getting out there and playing yourself.

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, it was tough, like, when we saw that they went down a break and obviously there's a crazy deuce point the next game that went Great Britain's way and kind of gave us a little less hope.

But, honestly, a lot of things had to go right after a 3-0 lost the first day for us to make it out and everything kind of started clicking. So it almost felt like it's going to happen. They're going to come back and it's going to, you know, play out the way it did.

But it was fun. I think in the locker room watching the third set tiebreak, even though they were up, it got really tight, but obviously it gave us a good chance.

And, yeah, I think also, like Felix said, I mean, it was a great effort from both him and I to come out and beat two really tough players and also with Brayden and Steve, I mean, they're giving it all on the bench and it's actually I think sometimes tougher to be on the bench than on the court. So huge shout-outs to the whole team.

Q. Just how excited are you to get another chance to represent your country and try to push one step further?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, for sure. I think it's super exciting. 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 mean, I believe in us. The way Felix played, he probably beats, he beats Zverev who is probably one, you know, probably the best player in the world right now, and I think he can take anyone. And together in doubles as well I think we have really good chances. So we definitely have a good, good team.

Q. Felix, Denis said it. Obviously, Medvedev's a tough challenge. What's intriguing to you about his game and what's so difficult about facing him?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, we played twice now. We practiced together sometimes. Yeah, he just does everything well, really. As much as he defends really well and makes you play an extra ball, and 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.

So 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, but 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.

Q. What were you most pleased with tonight? Obviously Zverev has proven the past six months or so that he might be one of if not the best player right now?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, no, it was a great match for my part, I can only be happy with the outcome, of course. I think I showed great things in my game today, things are moving in the right direction.

But, yeah, I was just thinking, look, we as a team lost the first four matches that we played here and then won the next four. I think we just, we're going to try to keep that momentum going and I think definitely I feel that energy in my singles today with Denis winning the first match, the spirit was really high in the locker room after. So I kind of just, you know, kept that energy coming through the match and I played one of my best matches against Sascha.