(Reuters) – Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime praised the impact of compatriot Denis Shapovalov on his own career on Monday after sealing his place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Shapovalov reached the last eight after beating Germany’s Alexander Zverev a day earlier, while Auger-Aliassime’s 2-6 7-6(7) 6-2 7-6(4) win over Marin Cilic ensured Canada has two men in a Grand Slam quarter-finals for the first time.
“We’re motivating each other,” Auger-Aliassime told reporters at Melbourne Park. “Not directly, but just knowing that he’s doing great and I back it up and win a match myself.
“I think it’s better for us than if, let’s say, one of us was not there. I think it also spreads the pressure a little bit to have the two of us.
“We live amazing moments in team events as well, so I think that wouldn’t happen if there was only one of us. We keep a good relationship but at the same time we really push each other in a good way.”
Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime fired Canada to the ATP Cup title with victory over Spain earlier this month, and Auger-Aliassime said their performances in Australia would help to raise the profile of Canadian tennis.
“It’s a great showing for Canada,” he said. “I mean, with the win also at the ATP Cup and moving on here, both of us being in the quarter-finals for the first time in Canadian history, it’s a great achievement for both of us.
“I hope it gives the idea (to) people back home that this is possible. I mean, we have done it. I truly believe that other Canadians can do it as well.”
Auger-Aliassime will face world number two Daniil Medvedev for a place in the semi-finals, while Shapovalov takes on 20-times Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; editing by Clare Fallon)
