Felix and Fernandez guide Canada’s triumphant debut in Perth | ATP Tour

United Cup

Felix and Fernandez guide Canada’s triumphant debut in Perth

The Canadians provisionally lead Group A

December 28, 2024

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernández played their part in the key moment this Saturday in the United Cup.

In a decisive mixed doubles point, the Canadians beat Ivan Dodig and Lucija Ciric Bagaric 6-3, 6-4 to seal the victory (2-1) over Croatia in Group A. Auger-Aliassime and Fernández displayed total precision in the game, without facing a single breaking point.

“Be positive [fue clave]we have tried to have fun. We’re having a good time on the court,” Fernandez said. “We’ve stayed aggressive and, in many of the important points, we were able to execute our game plan.”

“It’s been great,” Auger-Aliassime added. “We haven’t lost serve, that means we were in control. We did pretty well. It’s about being confident and not being too aggressive. We mutually trust each other.”

Canada will compete again on Sunday night against a powerful United States team, led by Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff.

Borna Coric had previously come back from Auger-Aliassime to keep Croatia alive on the way to the final point. After losing the first eight games of the match, the Balkan clung to the court to win 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, reaching seven consecutive games in his reaction.

“I’m not sure [de cómo he ganado]said Coric, former No. 12 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “When I came out I didn’t feel my serve. It’s very hard to compete against him when you have these feelings.”

“I tried to stay positive with the crowd, I knew I could have my chances. I started to play a little better. There was real chaos [en el tercer set] But, in the end, I had some luck.”

In the first point of the series, Fernandez beat Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-3 to give Canada an early 1-0 lead over Croatia.

Although Vekic came into this duel with a 5-0 record in United Cup singles matches, there was little he could do against the Canadian. The 2021 US Open finalist needed just one hour and 26 minutes to surprise the No. 19 in the rankings.

“I’m very happy with the way I played, the way I stayed consistent in difficult moments,” Fernandez said on the court after the match. “Donna is an incredible player and an incredible fighter, and I knew she wasn’t going to give it to me, especially at the beginning of the second set. “I’m glad I stayed mentally strong.”

There wasn’t much difference between the two players in the first set at the RAC Arena, as neither of them faced a break point in the first nine games. But the Canadian took advantage of a break in the next game to, in the process, keep the lead.

The break of the second set came in the eighth game, and Fernández was able to convert it into victory minutes later to mark the point in favor of Canada.