MONTREAL - Canada must overcome a 2-0 deficit against Hungary to advance in the Davis Cup men's team tennis tournament. Fabian Marozsan defeated Alexis Galarneau before Marton Fucsovics toppled Gabriel Diallo on Saturday at IGA Stadium, giving Hungary a commanding lead in the best-of-five, first-round qualifier.
“It was a difficult day for us, for sure," Canadian team captain Frank Dancevic said. "That said, we’re down 2-0 but I believe in this team. We can come back tomorrow. Win doubles, and I believe with our players we can win the tie. Even if we’re down 2-0, we can come back and win.”
Marozsan prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 against Galarneau, hailing from Laval, Que., in the opening match. Meanwhile, Montreal's Diallo won his first set, but Fucsovics, currently ranked 96th, fired back to take the match 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Fucsovics was impressive, saving six of seven break points and breaking the 85th-ranked Diallo four times.
Diallo reflected on the match, noting, "He started serving... giving up less. I had a bad game in the first set, he broke me, and I think it freed him up. He started playing more solidly, picking his spots on serves. That put pressure on me to serve and do more than I needed to. It’s just small things, really, turning the match around.”
The 176th-ranked Galarneau also praised Maroszan, saying, "Off of both forehand and backhand, he can generate power and be dangerous. But also his serve, I was surprised. He served really precisely and mixed it up quite well, so credit to him." Galarneau acknowledged the strength of his opponent, who is ranked 58th.
Looking forward, Vasek Pospisil from Vernon, B.C., and Liam Draxl from Newmarket, Ont., are scheduled to face Marozsan and Mate Valkusz in Sunday’s must-win doubles match. If necessary, Diallo would meet Marozsan again for the fourth match, and Galarneau would take on Fucsovics for the fifth.
Dancevic remained tight-lipped about potential changes to his lineup at this pivotal moment. "Even if I were to change, I don't think I'd tell you right now," he said. "There are no panic buttons going off right now. We’re down 2-0, but this is part of being professional. You're always seeking solutions. We're not done; we haven't lost. We’ve always fought to the end."
The winner of the two-day tie will move on to the second round of qualifiers set for September. The losing team will be relegated to the World Group 1 level. Canada, which has lost in the quarterfinals for the last two years, needs to improve upon its stellar home record, having won nine of the last 10 home ties.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published February 1, 2025.