Milos Raonic, Daniel Nestor lead Canada's Davis Cup team against France

 

TORONTO - Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., and Toronto's Daniel Nestor will lead a veteran Canadian Davis Cup team in a first-round tie against France next month.

Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver round out captain Martin Laurendeau's squad for the clay-court event March 4-6 in Guadeloupe.

Filip Peliwo of Vancouver and Adil Shamasdin of Toronto will also travel as part of an extended squad of players.

France selected a strong squad of four Top 20 singles players in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 9), Richard Gasquet (No. 10), Gael Monfils (No. 17) and Gilles Simon (No. 19).

"France is a very proud Davis Cup nation and we know they have put a lot of time, effort and resources into this tie," Laurendeau said in a statement. "They are also bringing their absolute 'A' team. They are doing everything they can to try and win and so it will be on us to go in there and attempt to spoil their party a bit.

"We are bringing our 'A' team as well and I believe fully in the guys we have and that they will give it all they've got to pull off the upset here."

This is Nestor's 24th year playing Davis Cup, and holds numerous Canada records including most Davis Cup wins, with 47, most doubles wins (32), and most ties played (49).

Raonic has been a Davis Cup ace for Canada, going 11-2 in singles since Canada returned to the World Group in 2012.

France holds a 2-0 record against Canada in Davis Cup play.

Canada will be competing in the elite 16-team World Group for a fifth straight year.

Milos Raonic, John Isner To Play Doubles Together in Indian Wells

Two of tennis’ biggest servers will be teaming up at the season’s first ATP Masters 1000 event. American John Isner and Canada’s Milos Raonic will be playing doubles next month in Indian Wells.
Returners Beware

Isner and Raonic boast two of the biggest serves in the modern game. In 2012, Raonic struck what is now the fifth fastest serve in tennis history at 155.3 MPH, while Isner ranks not far behind at 11th with 149.9 MPH. Both men rely on their massive serves to win singles matches, and have ridden their serves to the edge of the top ten. Isner is currently ranked 11th, with Raonic not far behind at 13th.

The pairing of Raonic and Isner is a terrifying prospect for any opponent. There will be no easy return game for any opponents. Doubles is a game a quick strikes, and the Canadian/American pairing will have a monopoly on short points. Opposing teams will have to take advantages of their few chances, or will have to bring their A-game to tiebreaks.Since Raonic broke onto the tour in 2011, he and Isner have been battling for the title of best server in the world, along with Ivo Karlovic. Isner and Raonic finished first and second in total aces in 2012 and 2013, with Isner edging Raonic both times, by as little as three aces (in 2012).
A Recipe for Success?

Both Raonic and Isner are primarily singles players, without a ton of experience in doubles. Isner has spent more times in doubles, actually winning three titles, although his last title came back in 2011. Raonic has reached one doubles final in his career, back in 2011 with Robin Haase in Halle.

Isner’s doubles success has always come with a big hitting opponent. Two of his three titles, along with all three of his Masters 1000 finals, came with fellow power-hitting American Sam Querrey.

Despite their relative lack of doubles success, both men have done well in the past in Indian Wells. Last year, Raonic claimed one of the biggest wins on his career over Rafael Nadal on route to the semifinals. Isner reached his first Masters 1000 final in California back in 2012, upsetting Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. If there is a venue where the men could do well, Indian Wells is a great choice.