Italy, Canada deadlocked 1-1 in Davis Cup quarterfinals

Vancouver - Italy and Canada split their opening day matches in their Davis Cup quarterfinal tie in British Columbia as each team’s top singles player, Milos Raonic and Andreas Seppi, came through to earn a point in the best-of-five contest.

Canada’s Raonic, No. 16 in singles in the ATP world ranking, dominated Fabio Fognini Friday, beating the Italian in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 7-5. In the opening rubber, Italian Seppi, World No.18, dropped the first two sets and then rallied to beat Vasek Pospisil 3-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, reports Xinhua.

With Canada in the quarterfinals for the first time, the team is largely here because of Raonic. The Ontario native won both his matches in Canada’s 3-2 upset of No.1 ranked Spain in February and is undefeated in his four Davis Cup rubbers played in Vancouver dating back to a French tie last year.