MÁLAGA, Spain (AP) — Félix Auger-Aliassime collapsed on his back on the baseline, waiting for his teammates to come running from the Canadian bench, before throwing himself on him.

A few minutes later, Canada managed to lift the Davis Cup…finally.

“I think all of us here dreamed of this moment,” Auger-Aliassime said.

Canada clinched the title for the first time on Sunday, beating Australia with wins for Denis Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime.

Auger-Aliassime secured the crown by beating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4. Shapovalov started the day with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Seven years after leading Canada to the pinnacle of junior tennis, Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov and their teammates have guided it to the conquest of the most important team tournament in the world.

“We wanted to grow and be part of this team and try to help the country win its first title,” Shapovalov said. “Now everything seems surreal.”

Shapovalov had lost both of his singles matches this week and needed back treatment on Saturday in a three-set semi-final loss to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

This duel lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes.

But on Sunday, the southpaw quickly moved up the court and hit angled shots to score points and take a 4-0 lead in the opening set.

Auger-Aliassime then completed his superb second half of the season and had a perfect week in Spain. Twice he had kept the Canadians alive after Shapovalov lost the opener in singles play.

On Saturday, he replaced his worn-out partner and teamed up with Vasek Pospisil to win the deciding doubles match.

This time, Auger-Aliassime made sure the doubles match wasn’t even necessary. After his teammates entered the room to celebrate with him, they all stood up and danced around.

Canada had only reached the final once. Lost to Spain in Madrid.

In this series, played in 2019, Rafael Nadal beat Shapovalov at the decisive point.

Today, Auger-Aliassime moved up to sixth in the standings and the Canadian team looks great. He won the ATP Cup in January and added the Davis Cup to his junior Davis Cup title, won by Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov in 2015.

Australia were seeking their 29th title and their first since current captain Lleyton Hewitt was part of the team that claimed victory in 2003.