The Spanish tennis team is aiming to secure a place in the middle rounds of the Finals this Friday, following a second group victory over Canada. That win keeps a potential opponent in sight and highlights the strong mix of experience and rising talent, led by Carlos Alcaraz, who recently claimed the world number one ranking and the United States Open title before taking a brief rest ahead of the next round of action.
The fresh calendar week in Valencia’s Fuente de San Luis saw the reigning champion take a light load in the first qualifying round of the round-robin format, using the break to recharge after the exhausting New York campaign.
Spain’s opening challenge, however, is Vasek Pospisil, who is set to face Robert Baptist in a match that promises to test the home side’s depth and character.
Victory over Serbia
The player from El Palmar watched from the bench as his teammates delivered a robust performance in their first match against Serbia, crafting a convincing 3-0 result through determined work and precise execution. Albert Ramos pushed to overturn a deficit against Laslo Djere, while Robert Baptist pulled off a clever tactic that overcame the dangerous Miomir Kecmanovic in two tie-breaks. The pairing of Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martínez also pressed their claim with a victory of their own.
The Spanish captain, Sergi Bruguera, is expected to line up the current champion from Flushing Meadows in this tie, with the Castellón-born star already emitting strong vibes and showing sharp form. Granollers and Martínez are likely to remain for the decisive point, emphasizing Spain’s strong collective balance and strategic depth.
Heading into the tie, Spain will face Canada, a team they beat in their sixth and final appearance at the group stage in 2019. Canada comes into action with Denis Shapovalov sidelined by injury and a moment of uncertainty around young star Felix Auger-Aliassime, who had dropped his opening match against Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea but still carried potential to rebound. The dynamic of this event showcases how team competition can tilt the balance for individuals who normally compete in singles across the calendar.
Like Spain, which began the year with a setback in the ATP Cup, where Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime did not offer Pablo Carreño and Roberto Bautista the easiest path to victory, the Americans are eager to respond after a 2019 setback and reclaim momentum on home soil.
Castellón’s player is set to open against Vasek Pospisil, a matchup that carries a favorable 3-1 record for him, with the sole defeat in the last meeting coming at the 2020 US Open. The Murcia-born player will meet the Canadian in a quarterfinal context, having previously played only once against him in the 2021 US Open quarterfinals, a match cut short due to physical issues with the score at 6-3, 3-1 when he began to push forward before the halt.