By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Milos Raonic helped put Canadian tennis on the map.

Prevailing in his first Davis Cup match in 5 years, Raonic did his half to attempt to hold defending champion Canada alive within the Davis Cup Finals.

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Raonic rocketed 18 aces, together with opening and shutting the match with aces, defeating Finland's Patrick Kaukovalta 6-3, 7-5 to stake Canada to a 1-0 lead within the Davis Cup quarterfinals in Malaga, Spain.

Finland's Otto Virtanen conquered Canada's Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 7-5 on the energy of 14 aces to stage the tie and arrange the decisive doubles match.

The winner of the Canada vs. Finland tie will advance to Friday's 4 p.m. semifinal in opposition to both Australia or Czech Republic.

Once the stalwart of Canada's Davis Cup workforce, accidents riddled Raonic in recent times stopping him from taking part in.

The 32-year-old Raonic mentioned his prolonged absence from Davis Cup competitors makes this win even sweeter.

"It's a great feeling, great feeling especially considering the success that both the teams, men's and women's, have had this last 12 months," Raonic advised the media in Malaga, Spain. "To be here alongside these guys, contributing and trying to just enjoy it, yeah, you know, you appreciate these moments a lot more once there is not as many of them."

In the final 12 months, Canada has captured each the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup championships.

Earlier this month, former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez clinched Canada's victory over Italy within the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to clinch its first King Cup championship in historical past. Raonic mentioned he is watched Canada's rise with delight calling it "something pretty incredible."

"It's been a lot of pride and a lot of great feelings coming from it, just because, yeah, I remember from the first time that I was there as a hitting partner alongside the team in Calgary, I believe it was against Colombia back then," Raonic mentioned. "I think we were playing to stay in Group I back then, America's Group I or whatever the structure is. Then in 2011 we had the chance to get into the World Group after first time in a long time.

"You know, there was an entire lot of progress over time with it, and we've been a staple now within the World Group's stage. We have been now on the prime of it. So seeing all that, being part of all that, it is one thing fairly unbelievable.

"I think it just speaks to a lot more because it's not the individual achievements Canadians have also had. I think it's significant about the process and the systems that are in place throughout the country that help Canadian tennis players that want to achieve their goals succeed."

Photo credit score: International Tennis Federation

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