Canada will play their first tie in the World Group stage for the first time in eight years when they welcome heavy favourites France to Vancouver.
This will only be the second time these two nations have meet each other in the competition following a France 5-0 win way back in 1966. Canada produced some surprising results last year to qualify them for this stage with dramatic away wins to both Ecuador and Israel. France on the other hand will be looking to give Guy Forget the perfect send off in his last year as captain by lifting the trophy for a tenth time.
France have considerable strength in depth in their squad this year with World No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gaël Monfils expected to continue their excellent Davis Cup record. Tsonga has won seven of his nine singles matches in the competition while Monfils has only been beaten twice in seven outings.
For the home side, much hope may lie with World No. 28 Milos Raonic. The 21 year old, who already has two career titles to his name, will look to improve on his three wins from six Davis Cup singles matches. Indeed it may be the doubles where Canada can be confident of picking up a point with veteran and World No. 3 doubles player Daniel Nestor carrying a phenomenal win/loss record of 29/4 in doubles matches throughout the years.
Prediction: France 4-1
Date: 10 Feb - 12 Feb 2012
Venue: Thunderbird Sports Centre, Vancouver, Canada
Surface: Hard (Premier), Indoor
