Canada booked their spot in the 2022 ATP Cup final after coming up trumps in a thrilling doubles encounter with Russia to march to a 2-1 win.
Having pipped Great Britain, Germany and the USA to top spot in Group C, Canada got off on the right foot in the semi-final as Denis Shapovalov beat Roman Safiullin 6-4 5-7 6-4.
However, US Open champion Daniil Medvedev responded in perfect fashion for Russia, securing a straightforward 6-4 6-0 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up a deciding doubles match.
Medvedev and Safiullin took the first doubles set 6-4, but Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov levelled the scores with a 7-5 second-set win before booking their place in the final with a 10-7 third-set thriller.
Canada will now take on 2020 runners-up Spain for a shot at glory in Sunday's final at the Ken Rosewall Arena, as Shapovalov prepares to meet Pablo Carreno Busta before Auger-Aliassime takes on Roberto Bautista Agut.
Ben Knapton
