Canada Beats France 2-0 in Davis Cup Qualifier on September 18

Canada’s tennis team stunned France 2-0 in a Davis Cup second-round qualifier on Friday at Quebec City’s Videotron Centre. World No. 5 Félix Auger-Aliassime defeated Quentin Halys 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, while Liam Draxl upset France’s No. 1 Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-5. Canada needs just one more point to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna in November. The tie marks Canada’s return to Davis Cup competition after two years and the first time Auger-Aliassime has played the event in his home province.

Auger-Aliassime delivers in Quebec homecoming

Félix Auger-Aliassime defeated Quentin Halys 7-6 in a tiebreak, then won the next two sets 4-6, 6-3 in front of 10,633 fans at the Videotron Centre. Auger-Aliassime fired 12 aces and capitalized on six double faults from Halys. The victory improved his Davis Cup record to 14-4 overall and 11-2 in singles, extending his unbeaten streak to 13 consecutive Davis Cup matches, including nine straight singles wins. This was Auger-Aliassime’s first Davis Cup appearance since the 2024 group stage and his first time representing Canada in his home province.

Draxl stuns Rinderknech in opening match

Liam Draxl defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-5 in the opening singles match, giving Canada a 1-0 lead. Draxl, ranked outside the top 200, upset the world No. 31 Frenchman with aggressive net play and solid serving. He won 73 percent of points on his first serve and saved all three break points he faced. Draxl called it the biggest win of his career. Tennis Canada confirmed both victories on Friday evening.

Canada one win away from Final 8

Canada needs just one more point in the best-of-five tie to advance to the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, in November. The tie continues Saturday with a doubles match and remaining singles matches if needed. Canada is ranked 12th in the world, while France ranks sixth. This marks Canada’s first Davis Cup tie in Quebec City since 1974, when the nation lost 4-1 to France.

Auger-Aliassime bounces back after US Open exit

Auger-Aliassime arrived in Quebec after a difficult stretch. He withdrew from the National Bank Open in Montreal due to a back injury, then lost early at Cincinnati and the US Open. At the US Open, he fell to Karen Khachanov 7-6, 3-6, 2-6, 2-6 in the second round. Auger-Aliassime later attributed the loss to possible heatstroke. His father, Sam, has taken on an interim coaching role following his split with longtime coach Frédéric Fontang after Wimbledon.

Final Thoughts

Canada’s 2-0 lead puts the team within one victory of reaching the Davis Cup Final 8 for the first time. Auger-Aliassime’s home-court dominance and Draxl’s upset win signal strong momentum heading into Saturday’s matches.

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