Steven Diez (R) and Leylah Fernandez (L) pull Canada through to their first win
(Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
Chile came close to scoring an upset in their first Group B match at the Rosewall Arena in the only tie played on the last day of the year in Sydney. In fact, the Chileans were two points away from defeating Canada!
It was nerve-wracking with the ups and downs, but we stayed calm and positive and used it to our advantage Leylah Fernandez
Like tie previous two ties played 24 hours earlier, it was left to the mixed doubles rubber for the decision when the Canadians secured the point in the third set Match Tiebreak.
Up to that point it was a roller coaster of a tie starting with Leylah Fernadez comfortably defeating Daniela Seguel 6-2 6-3 to claim the first point for the Canadians.
Chile struck back decisively through Nicolas Jarry taking down Steven Diaz to level the tie and the two Canadians returned to the court to battle out the decider.
And the pair proved successful against Tomas Barrios Vera and Seguel in what proved to be nail-biting final set, 7-5 4-7 10-8.
“I’m extremely happy and proud of the team,” Fernandez said later. “It was nerve-wracking with the ups and downs, but we stayed calm and positive and used it to our advantage.”
On the first match point, Seguel was unable to handle a Fernandez passing shot, missing a forehand volley on the full stretch into the net. Diez fell to his knees in celebration and shared an emotional hug with Fernandez.
“I was a little bit surprised that Felix didn’t take the court but it was about time that I paid him back for winning the 2021 ATP Cup,” Diez added. “The legs felt a little heavy and tired, but I was really motivated and we kept it together and had a great attitude.”
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