The Videotron Centre in Quebec City hosted a decisive Davis Cup Qualifiers tie over the weekend as Canada defeated France 3-1, with Félix Auger-Aliassime delivering the clinching win in the No. 1 singles match on Saturday.
Home court seals a place in Bologna
Canada entered Saturday’s play needing just one point after singles victories by Liam Draxl and Félix Auger-Aliassime on Friday put the hosts ahead. Although France fought back to win the doubles and keep the tie alive, Auger-Aliassime converted his second opportunity to close out the tie, defeating Arthur Rinderknech in three sets to secure Canada’s spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, in November.
“Félix Auger-Aliassime clinched the Davis Cup Qualifiers Second Round tie for Canada in the No. 1 singles match on Saturday at Centre Videotron in Quebec City.”
The tie was played under the best-of-five match format, each match played as best-of-three sets. France had avoided a straight sweep by taking the doubles on Saturday, but the local support and earlier singles successes ensured Canada could not be denied.
Match-by-match recap
Results over the two days at the Videotron Centre reflected a strong Canadian performance in singles, with France prevailing only in the doubles pairing.
- Friday, Sept. 18 — Draxl defeated Rinderknech 6-2, 7-5; Auger-Aliassime beat Quentin Halys 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3.
- Saturday, Sept. 19 — The French duo Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert won the doubles 7-6(4), 6-3; Auger-Aliassime then beat Rinderknech 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 to clinch the tie.
| Date | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 18 | Liam Draxl d. Arthur Rinderknech | 6-2, 7-5 |
| Sept. 18 | Félix Auger-Aliassime d. Quentin Halys | 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 |
| Sept. 19 | Bonzi/Herbert d. Auger-Aliassime/Chan (doubles) | 7-6(4), 6-3 |
| Sept. 19 | Félix Auger-Aliassime d. Arthur Rinderknech | 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 |
What this means for Team Canada and Quebec City
By advancing, Team Canada — presented by IGA — will appear in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna this November. For Quebec City, hosting the tie marked the first time since 1974 that the city staged a Davis Cup tie, and it represented the fourth consecutive home tie for Canada in this stage of the competition.
The victory also continues Canada’s recent pattern in Davis Cup play: the team last competed on the road at the Final 8 in Málaga in November 2024, then navigated mixed results in subsequent years to return to the qualifiers this season. Canada reached this stage after victories including a February win over Brazil in Vancouver and a September win over Israel in Halifax the previous year.
For local tennis fans, the tie offered a rare chance to see top national talent on home soil and to witness a pivotal moment — a home player finishing the job on the indoor hard court at the Videotron Centre. With the tie decided, Canada will now prepare for the November Final 8 in Italy, while the losing side will head to next year’s qualifiers.
The weekend’s matches underscore the depth in Canada’s singles players and the importance of home support in team competition. Quebec City, which welcomed the national squad and travelling supporters, will likely remember the atmosphere and outcome as a highlight of its sporting calendar this year.
