Rising talent Gabriel Diallo leads Canada’s Davis Cup qualifier team set to face Brazil next month at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Diallo, ranked 40th globally from Montreal, will be accompanied by Liam Draxl from Newmarket, Ont., Alexis Galarneau from Laval, Que., Nicolas Arsenault from Richmond Hill, Ont., and Cleeve Harper from Calgary, as announced by Tennis Canada on Monday.
The Davis Cup match is scheduled for February 6-7 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Diallo, making his 10th consecutive Davis Cup appearance, achieved a breakthrough in the 2024 season by entering the top 100 of the ATP Tour’s world rankings and claimed his first ATP Tour title at the Libema Open last year.
The outcome of the tie will determine the advancing country for the second qualifying round in September. The top seven teams proceeding past the second round will join the host and defending champion Italy in the Davis Cup Final 8 in November. The Canada-Brazil tie will kick off with two singles matches, followed by a doubles match and two more singles matches on the second day.
Canadian captain Frank Dancevic expressed satisfaction with the team selection, aiming to secure a spot in the final stage after missing out last year. Following a 4-0 victory over Israel in a World Group I tie in Halifax last September, the Canadians, who claimed the Davis Cup in 2022, made it to the first qualifying round.
In the latest rankings, Draxl holds the 132nd spot in singles, Galarneau sits at No. 213, Arsenault is ranked 501st in singles, and Harper is placed 94th in doubles. Diallo’s victory over Zizou Bergs of Belgium at the Libema Open in June 2025 marked a significant milestone in his career.