Niemeyer and Nestor
CALGARY - Already assured of victory, Canada split points with Mexico on the final day of Davis Cup competition Sunday.
Canada clinched a win in the best-of-five tie on Saturday, but the teams played out the remaining matches regardless with Canada finishing 4-1.
Bruno Rodriguez beat Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 in a matchup of two rookies.
The win put an end to Canada’s 25 set win-streak and also gave Mexico its only point of the tie.
"It was difficult to start because it was both of our first Davis Cup matches but I started to play better in the second set," Rodriguez said. "He played very well also. This whole week has been amazing. Canada has treated us very well. It is unfortunate that we were unable to win."
Pospisil was pleased despite the loss.
"It was everything I expected," he said. "The atmosphere was amazing. The support from everyone was unbelievable. I feel like I played one of my best matches, it is just disappointing that I lost."
Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont., took the final rubber of the tie with a 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (4) win over Cesar Ramirez.
"I couldn’t be happier," Polansky said. "I feel really good about my game right now, my confidence is high and I’m happy for my team that we won."
In winning the tie, Canada secured a berth in the second-round against Chile.
The teams will compete for the chance to advance to a World Group playoff in September.
Only 16 of the countries entered in Davis Cup competition will qualify for the elite World Group.