Defending champion Canada earns berth in Davis Cup final eight

BOLOGNA, Italy — Defending champion Canada secured a spot in the Davis Cup final eight with Alexis Galarneau’s straight sets singles win over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo.

After sweeping host Italy and Sweden to open the 16-country group stage of finals, Canada needed to win one of three matches against Chile on Saturday to move onto November’s final eight in Malaga, Spain.

The 24-year-old Galarneau from Laval, Que., got the job done early in Canada’s first singles match on Unipol Arena’s hard court.

Galarneau’s 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Tabilo ensured Canada will advance in what’s been dubbed the World Cup of men’s team tennis.