Canadians return to Vancouver for Italy tie
Canada's Davis Cup squad, fresh from a stunning upset of tennis powerhouse Spain earlier this month, will return to Vancouver for a home quarterfinal tie against Italy in April, Tennis Canada announced on Tuesday.
The Canadians will meet Italy on the indoor hardcourts in Thunderbird Sports Centre at the University of British Columbia on April 5-7. The winner will meet either the United States or Serbia in a Davis Cup semifinal tie in September.
Led by two victories from Milos Raonic, the Canadians beat Spain 3-2 in the same venue March 1-3. Frank Dancevic won the other point for Canada against a Spanish side lacking stars Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro and Fernando Verdasco.
"What our team accomplished in Vancouver was outstanding," Canada captain Martin Laurendeau said. "We cannot underestimate how much the crowd support and atmosphere in that stadium helped us claim victory and we want to ride that momentum. We are thrilled to be going back."
Canada will make its first Davis Cup quarterfinal appearance while Italy reached the final eight for the first time since a 1998 run to the final.
