Canada secure Davis Cup World Group spot
Date published :
16 Sep 2012 - 19:47:58
Milos Raonic delivered the clinching singles victory Sunday as Canada secured their Davis Cup World Group berth with a 4-1 victory over South Africa in their playoff tie.
Raonic, ranked 15th in the world, fired 13 aces in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Izak Van Der Merwe, locking up the clinching point in one hour and 45 minutes.
After Raonic put Canada ahead 3-1 in the best-of-five match tie, Canadian veteran Frank Dancevic rounded out the scoring with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Nikala Schotz in the meaningless final singles.
Raven Klaasen and Van Der Merwe had teamed up for a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5) doubles win over Vasek Pospisil and Daniel Nestor on Saturday to keep South Africa's hopes alive.
Canada returned to the elite World Group this year after seven seasons at the level below, but fell 4-1 at home to France in Vancouver in the opening round in February.
Pospisil opened the tie on Friday with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Van Der Merwe and big-serving Raonic defeated Scholtz 7-5, 6-4, 7-5.
South Africa's hopes of returning to the World Group next year had dimmed when Rick de Voest was forced out of the playoff on Thursday.
De Voest, the world number 170, was to have been his country's top singles player in the tie in the absence of 37th-ranked Kevin Anderson, who opted out.
South Africa haven't been in the World Group since 1998.
