Canada, France tied in Davis Cup

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Milos Raonic downed Julien Benneteau Friday to draw Canada even with France after the opening day of their first-round Davis Cup series.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gave the French the advantage in the day's first match by coasting to a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Vasek Pospisil, but Raonic tied the series with a 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 win.

The key doubles match Saturday will send Pospisil and Daniel Nestor against Benneteau and Michael Llodra. Reverse singles action in the best-of-five showdown will take place Sunday.

The winner of this Davis Cup Series will meet the United States-Switzerland survivor in the quarterfinals. The Americans took a surprising 2-0 lead over the Swiss Friday thanks to John Isner's unexpected victory over Roger Federer.