Canada Shocks Italy in Group Stage Opener at The Davis Cup Finals
Alexis Galarneau and Gabriel Diallo clinched their debut Davis Cup wins en route to a 3-0 sweep over Italy
Bologna, Italy, September 13, 2023 — On Wednesday, Team Canada presented by Sobeys opened the Group Stage of the Davis Cup Finals with a 3-0 win over Italy. Playing out of the Unipol Arena in Bologna, Italy, the Canadian squad, made up of Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo, Vasek Pospisil, Alexis Galarneau, and Kelsey Stevenson, currently sits tied atop of the Group A leaderboard with Chile.
Galarneau (No. 200) got things rolling early for Team Canada, defeating World No. 38 Lorenzo Sonego in
a thrilling two-hour and 22-minute match by a score of 7-6(8), 6-4. Despite being down love-40 in the
opening game, Galarneau fought his way back to avoid going into an early 0-1 hole. That was a common
theme for the 24-year-old throughout the contest, as he was able to turn up his game in clutch moments,
fending away two set points in the opening set and saving four of five break point opportunities. It was
Galarneau’s first victory in Davis Cup action.
His compatriot Diallo also entered today looking for his first Davis Cup win. He faced off against Team
Italy’s top-ranked player, Lorenzo Musetti (No. 18). Diallo, who is ranked No. 158 in the world, recently
won his first ATP Tour-level match on home soil at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in
Toronto, Canada. He used that match to fuel him today, as he took down Musetti in straight sets – 7-5, 6-4.
His compatriot Diallo also entered today looking for his first Davis Cup win. He faced off against Team
Italy’s top-ranked player, Lorenzo Musetti (No. 18). Diallo, who is ranked No. 158 in the world, recently
won his first ATP Tour-level match on home soil at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in
Toronto, Canada. He used that match to fuel him today, as he took down Musetti in straight sets – 7-5, 6-4.
The 21-year-old Montrealer hit 10 aces and didn’t face a single break point.
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