Pospisil nicks out Australia in last-8

Canada’s Vasek Pospisil beat Australia’s John Millman 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in the singles and then teamed up with Denis Shapovalov in the doubles to beat the pair of Jordan Thompson and John Peers 6-4, 6-4.

Madrid, Nov. 22: Canada became the first team to make the semifinals of the new Davis Cup on Thursday as they clinched a tense and decisive doubles rubber to defeat Australia in Madrid. Nick Kyrgios had declared Australia capable of winning the tournament earlier this week but he played no part against Canada, perhaps due to injury, and his country crashed out in the quarters. Canada’s Vasek Pospisil was the star of the show as he beat John Millman 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in the singles and then formed a winning team with Denis Shapovalov in the doubles, the pair beating Jordan Thompson and John Peers 6-4, 6-4. In between, Alex de Minaur had given Australia hope of a comeback as he battled from a set down to outlast Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

DJOKOVIC-INSPIRED SERBIA BEAT FRANCE

A first victory in 10 meetings with Australia means Canada will face either Serbia and Novak Djokovic or Russia in the last four on Saturday, for a place in Sunday’s final.

Novak Djokovic helped Serbia eliminate topranked France to reach the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup Finals on Thursday, setting up a meeeting with Russia.

France, the tournament’s top seeds, had already crashed out a few hours before at the hands of Serbia and Djokovic.

Djokovic booked Serbia’s place in the quarters as he eased past Benoit Paire to send France home.

The 16-time major champion beat Paire 6-3, 6-3 after Filip Krajinovic won a close encounter 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to give Serbia a 2-0 advantage, making France’s doubles victory irrelevant.

Joining Serbia in the last eight were Germany, who secured the one rubber they needed against Chile as Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-3 in the singles.

SPAIN KNOCK-OUT CHAMPS CROATIA Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal won his 26th consecutive Davis Cup singles match as Spain booked their place in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over defending champions Croatia.

Nadal saw off Croatia's Borna Gojo 6-4, 6-3 and then helped Spain win the doubles rubber alongside Marcel Granollers.

Spain tennis player Roberto Bautista Agut has withdrawn from the Davis Cup Finals because his father is ill.