Canada draws Japan in World Group first round

TORONTO – Martin Laurendeau is looking forward to Canada’s Davis Cup team having another chance to face Japan.

Canada will host Japan in a World Group first-round match in 2015. It will be a rematch of their first-round clash last year when Japan defeated Canada 4-1 to reach the World Group quarter-finals for the first time in its history.

But the Canadian squad was missing its top two singles players, Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., and Vancouver’s Vasek Pospisil, due to injury.

“We had our share of injuries when we played Japan . . . that’s the way it goes, that’s sports,” Laurendeau, the Canadian team captain, said during a conference call Thursday. “We know when we have a full team that we can take on anybody, especially at home.

“We’re really looking forward to having another chance to play at home in front of a good crowd.”

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The host city and venue will be determined at a later date.

Japan holds a 6-0 record over Canada, with their previous meeting prior to 2014 coming back in 1938. Canada is seeded ninth in the tournament while Japan is ranked 12th.

Canada remained in the World Group with a win over Colombia last weekend in Halifax. The Canadian team featured Raonic, who is ranked sixth on the ATP singles list, Pospisil (43rd) and Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., (147th), as well as doubles ace Daniel Nestor of Toronto (ranked third in doubles).

Japan’s team features U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori, who is ranked eighth on the ATP list.

“It’s basically the same team we’re facing but it will be different conditions,” Laurendeau said. “We’ll be able to play back-to-back home ties now, which is good.

“You kind of need that sometimes to build momentum. We just had a good win in Halifax we’ll have another chance to play at home so that’s a good start to the year.”

The official draw for the 2015 World Group was conducted Thursday evening from the ITF Annual General Meeting in Dubai. The first round ties will take place from March 6-8, 2015.