Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl to Open for Team Canada at Davis Cup World Group I Tie in Halifax

[HALIFAX, NS] September 11, 2025 – The official draw for the Davis Cup World Group I tie between Team Canada and Israel took place today to determine the matchups for this weekend’s action. The teams will contest the tie on the indoor hard courts at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gabriel Diallo (Montreal, QC) and Liam Draxl (Newmarket, ON) were chosen by team captain Frank Dancevic to play singles. The Israel captain Jonathan Erlich selected Orel Kimhi and Daniel Cukierman.

On Friday, Diallo (No. 35) will face Cukierman (No. 1179) while Draxl (No. 117) will take on Kimhi (No. 787).

“First of all, Davis Cup is always a special event for us, and we’re excited to be here back in Halifax after so many years,” said Dancevic. “The guys are looking really good in their practices this week, and we can’t wait to get the matches underway on Friday afternoon.”

“It’s always an honour to represent Canada at the Davis Cup, and for me, this is my first time playing here in Halifax,” said Diallo. “Their team has a lot of college experience; these are guys who either played in college or are still in college, so they understand the team dynamic and will bring a lot of energy. We’re going to have to make sure we match it and, at the end of the day, compete as hard as we can.”

In doubles, Draxl will be called upon to team up with Cleeve Harper (Calgary, AB) to face the duo of Ofek Shimanov and Jordan Hasson. This will be Harper’s first Davis Cup match, making him the 90th player to take to the court for Canada at the competition.

This weekend, the winning team will book their ticket into the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Round.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, September 12, 2025

Gabriel Diallo vs. Daniel Cukierman at 4:00 p.m. ADT
Followed by Liam Draxl vs. Orel Kimhi

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Liam Draxl / Cleeve Harper vs. Ofek Shimanov / Jordan Hasson at 1 p.m. ADT
Followed by Gabriel Diallo vs. Orel Kimhi
Followed by Liam Draxl vs. Daniel Cukierman*

*If the tie is decided following the doubles rubber, the last singles rubber may not be contested.

The tie will operate in a closed venue, broadcast-only format, without fans in attendance. The matches will be shown on TVA Sports and via CBC Sports’ livestream on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, and the CBC Sports YouTube channel.

About Tennis Canada

Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth, development and promotion of tennis in Canada and a vision to be a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier National Bank Open presented by Rogers WTA and ATP Tour events, it financially supports 15 other professional tournaments in Canada, as well as operating more than 60 events nationally across junior, wheelchair, university and Masters tennis categories. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and masters tennis national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our website at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

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Tennis Canada Media Contact: media@tenniscanada.com

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