Canada’s Vasek Pospisil beats favoured Fabio Fognini in Davis Cup opener
MADRID — Canada’s Vasek Pospisil has recorded a major upset to open the inaugural Davis Cup Finals.
Pospisil, a late replacement for Felix Auger-Aliassime (recovering from an ankle injury), beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the opening match of the best-of-three tie on Monday.
Ranked 150th in the world after missing half the season while recovering from back surgery, Vancouver’s Pospisil was a big underdog against world No. 12 Fognini.
Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., Canada’s top-ranked player, squared off with Matteo Berrettini in the second singles match.