Carlos Alcaraz is set to lead the Spanish team against Canada this Friday, aiming to push Spain toward a Davis Cup finals berth. The world’s premier team tennis competition will be staged in Malaga from November 22 to 27. After a strenuous push at Flushing Meadows, the 19-year-old Murcia native gave his all to help the national team chase the legendary Salad Bowl title.
This Thursday morning, Carlitos returned to practice on La Fonteta’s center court. He trained for an hour and a half, reporting positive vibes in drills alongside Pedro Martínez Portero of Valencia. Spanish captain Sergi Bruguera and the squad, led by Juan Carlos Ferrero, assessed their readiness following a breakthrough US Open campaign where they clinched their first Grand Slam by winning the final on Sunday, with Norwegian Casper Ruud among the competitors.
If Frank Dancevic, the Canadian captain, sticks to his planned lineup and the draw order remains as expected an hour before play begins, Alcaraz is likely to face Felix Auger-Aliassime. It would be a high-stakes duel between the top-ranked players in Group B, a standout contest in the group stage. Since Monday, the group’s dynamic has drawn considerable attention, as Alcaraz has been a focal point of discussions and previews. Aliassime, coached by Toni Nadal, sits at world ranking 13.
Only two players in the group are currently in the Top 10. Alongside Alcaraz, British star Cameron Norrie sits at No. 8. Eight players are within the Top 20, featuring names like Jannik Sinner (11), Taylor Fritz (12), Matteo Berrettini (15), Marin Cilic (16), Diego Schwartzman (17), and Auger-Aliassime. Like Alcaraz, Sinner and Cilic were unable to perform on the first day due to lingering strain in New York, while others—Frances Tiafoe or Rafael Nadal—declined invitations from their national captains. The narrative around Carlitos suggests a strong commitment to Davis Cup action.
The only prior meeting between Alcaraz and Aliassime happened at the US Open in 2021, where the Spaniard had to retire due to a muscle issue in a 6-3, 3-1 scoreline. In recent months, Canada’s top player has been pressing forward but is not at peak form, and the Davis Cup court surface and pace during the group stage have presented their own challenges. On Tuesday, the 22-year-old Canadian dropped sets to South Korea’s Kwon (7-6, 6-3) in a test of resolve.
Roberto Bautista Agut, who earned the second win in the victory against Serbia, is scheduled to meet Vasek Pospisil in the day’s opening match, slated to begin around 16:00. Movistar+ will carry the broadcast, ensuring fans can follow the action live. Afterward, Alcaraz is expected to square off against Aliassime, while Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martínez would team up for a doubles showdown. The Valencian star trained again on Thursday morning, between 11:30 and 12:30, alongside Carlitos under the watchful eyes of Bruguera and the coaching staff. Later in the day, Bautista, Albert Ramos, and Granollers also took to Court 2 for practice and preparation.
Spain advanced to the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga with a dominant 3-0 win over Serbia, setting up a clear path for the group’s top two teams to progress. A victory over Canada would have sealed Spain’s transition early, turning Sunday’s clash with South Korea into little more than a formality for a strong knockout stage seed. The atmosphere around the Spanish squad remains focused, hopeful, and ready to seize the opportunity that comes with home-court advantage and a hungry, youthful core. As the event unfolds, all eyes will be on how this group shapes the race toward the coveted trophy in front of a home crowd.