Canada on brink of ATP Cup triumph
Captain Felix Auger-Aliassim could register Canada's first ATP Cup win after fellow young gunman Denis Shapovalov kept his country one win away from the trophy.
Shapovalov, a left-handed genius, was too good for Spanish mainstay Pablo Carreno Busta in Sydney on Sunday night, winning the crucial first rubber 6-4 6-3.
This leaves 21-year-old world number 11 Auger-Aliassim in dual roles as Canada's captain and key player, a chance to secure a tie against in-form Roberto Bautista Agut.
If Bautista Agut quadruples the ledger, the cup will be decided in the winning battle of all pairs.
The Canadian youth pair emerged from a stacked group to make it to the last four, then defeated defending champions Russia in a tense, live doubles competition to reach the first cup final.
Spain, missing Rafael Nadal as his preparations were hampered by a positive COVID-19 case, remains dominant thanks to world numbers 19 and 20.