UNAVAILABILITIES aside, Canada still remains a huge chance to take out the 2021 ATP Cup, as a real underrated side heading in. They are missing a couple of players that might be preferred for the lineup, but given there are alternative singles tournaments occurring, it is understandable to opt for those if you are the third string singles player.

TEAM:

Denis Shapovalov
Milos Raonic
Peter Polansky
Steven Diez

In the last ATP Cup, injury to Milos Raonic opened the door for then-teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime, but with Raonic back to full fitness and six months of tournaments behind him, he adds the experience to the side along with top ranked talent, Denis Shapovalov. Between Shapovalov and Raonic, they have the capacity to win both singles, with Raonic in particular able to beat any of the second singles players in the ATP Cup.

Unfortunately due to the fact Raonic is handed the second singles spot, Auger-Aliassime has opted for the ATP Tour events in Melbourne, because he is looking to warm up for the Australian Open, not sit on the pine and then play doubles at the ATP Cup. He and Shapovalov would have been a damaging one-two punch in the doubles, but when fit you cannot ignore Raonic’s ability. He might be ageing, but Raonic is a damaging player who can quickly close out games.

The same could be said for the returning Vasek Pospisil who had a good 2020, coming back from injury and shooting back inside the Top 100 up to 61st in the world. Much like Auger-Aliassime though, with limited singles matches available, he will focus on other tournaments to build into the Australian Open, and therefore Canada loses its next best choice in the doubles to go with Peter Polansky.

The 32-year-old Polansky is the clear choice as the doubles specialist and provides that elder statesman to a team that prior to Raonic returning was quite young. He is paired with Steven Diez, who, while not as high up as others in the doubles – 317th – does not need to prepare for the Australian Open having not qualified and therefore can focus on his country at the ATP Cup.

Given Raonic’s fitness in past seasons, he will only be used for the second singles, but Shapovalov – who is technically also the top doubles player – will be expected to be thrown into the doubles if the tie is not guaranteed. If Canada has won it, then no doubt Diez will join Polansky on court and Shapovalov can rest up for the next fixture.

They might struggle against the top few teams in Serbia, Spain and Russia, but there is nothing to say Canada cannot upset the other nations, and even Serbia with Dusan Lajovic as the second player is in danger when it comes to what Raonic is capable of. Do not rule out Canada from the list of contenders.

Picture credit: ATP Tour