In a thrilling conclusion, Liam Draxl carried Canada to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Brazil in the deciding singles match of the Davis Cup qualifier. Despite battling through an ankle injury, Draxl showcased remarkable resilience by winning in straight sets on Saturday in Vancouver.
Hailing from Newmarket, Ontario, Draxl faced Gustavo Heide and secured his match victory with scores of 6-3 and 6-4, completing the match in a swift one hour and 29 minutes. This win propelled Canada into the next round of qualifiers, slated for September.
Earlier in the day, Gabriel Diallo from Montreal had set the stage for this decisive moment with an intense match that culminated in a nail-biting finish. He triumphed over Mattheus Pucinelli de Almedia with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), after a grueling two hours and 27 minutes on the court. This win was crucial as it forced the final match, where Draxl would ultimately shine.
However, the day wasn’t without its challenges. During the opening set of his critical match, Draxl stumbled while leading 4-2, causing him to fall to the ground and injure his right ankle. After receiving treatment off the court, he returned with tenacity and managed to maintain his momentum, ultimately winning the first set.
The second set saw Draxl engage in an impressive rally where he skillfully returned Heide’s powerful shots, eventually winning the point when Heide sent one wide. In a pivotal moment, Draxl broke Heide's serve in the seventh game of the second set, taking a 4-3 lead and following up with a brilliant shot down the line to secure the next game.
As the match reached its climax, Draxl served an ace to seal his victory, leading to an ecstatic display of celebration as he dropped his racket and embraced his teammates.
With this victory, Canada is set to advance to the second round of the Davis Cup qualifiers against either France or Slovakia, while Brazil will compete in World Group I later in the year.
This year's experience contrasts sharply with last year's first-round exit against Hungary at IGA Stadium in Montreal, highlighting Canada's determination to improve.
The day began with Draxl and Cleeve Harper from Calgary facing a tough matchup against the seasoned duo of Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in the doubles match. Despite a valiant effort, they succumbed to the Brazilian pair, with scores of 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, which placed Canada under pressure with Brazil leading 2-1 in the overall tie.
Previously, in Friday night's matches, Diallo, ranked 39th in the world, faced an upset against the 253rd-ranked Heide, losing in a tightly contested match, while Draxl, ranked 145th, defeated Lucas Reis da Silva.
Interestingly, Reis da Silva was initially slated to face Diallo on Saturday, but Brazilian captain Jaime Oncins opted for Pucinelli de Almedia as a replacement.
After dropping the first set 6-3, Diallo regrouped brilliantly in the second set, leveraging his powerful serves and sharp return shots to dominate. The third set was a test of endurance, requiring Diallo to fend off five deuces before securing the fourth game, showcasing his agility and skill as he kept Pucinelli de Almedia on the run.
In the earlier doubles encounter, Harper and Draxl faced the formidable Luz and Matos, who had previously reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. They took an early lead by breaking Matos’ serve, thanks in part to Harper’s quick reflexes at the net. However, the Brazilians rallied back, breaking Draxl’s serve twice in the second set to take the lead.
The thrilling atmosphere in Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre was palpable as the crowd erupted with cheers during Harper's remarkable plays, including three aces that brought the score to a tense 4-4 in the second set.
Ultimately, Brazil clinched the doubles match, capitalizing on crucial moments, leaving Canada to regroup for the singles matches ahead.
Throughout the day, a special ceremony honored Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., a veteran of Canadian tennis who recently announced his retirement, marking a significant moment in the sport.
This report by The Canadian Press was initially published on February 7, 2026.
