Canada will be sending their A-team to Guadeloupe to take on France. Captain Martin Laurendeau announced Canada’s squad for their upcoming first round tie in the Davis Cup World Group, as the Canadian team will feature their top two doubles and singles players.
All Hands on Deck
The big news attached to the announcement was that Milos Raonic, who was forced to withdraw from his last two events with a leg injury, will make his return to action when Canada takes on France. The Canadian number one, currently ranked 13th in the world, had a dream start to the season, winning Brisbane and was a set away from his first major final at the Australian Open before the injury struck.
Raonic will be joined by Canadian number two Vasek Pospisil, who is in action in Dubai this week. Pospisil is Canada’s double threat, as he is almost guaranteed to play singles and doubles for the Canadians. He is currently ranked 45th in the world in singles, and 16th in doubles. He will be joined by the great white north’s greatest ever player and current doubles number one, Daniel Nestor.
The squad will be rounded out by Davis Cup veteran Frank Dancevic. Dancevic has been known to pull some Davis Cup heroics in the past, including his blowout win against Marcel Granollers in the 2013 World Group first round.
The Underdogs
On paper, Canada is facing an extremely uphill battle against a French side that boasts all top-twenty players. A lot will depend on Raonic’s health. If he his back to the level he was playing at during the Australian Open, the French will be hard pressed to stop him. Canada also has the advantage in the doubles, as it is sending two players who actually play and win in doubles on a regular basis.
Pospisil is also capable of causing problems. The French players are also notorious for erratic play. There are so many variables when looking at these six men that make this tie hard to predict. And there is still a chance that Raonic will not be ready for the tie. But in the meantime, it appears as though the Canadians are sending their best to the Caribbean.