Raonic will face Ito in Canada-Japan opener

Vancouver (AFP) - Canadian number one Milos Raonic will take on Tatsuma Ito on Friday in the opening match of Canada's Davis Cup World Group first-round tie against Japan.

The big-serving Raonic, who is ranked sixth in the world, will be followed on court by team-mate Vasek Pospisil, who will face world number four and US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori in the second singles rubber.

On Saturday, Pospisil and Daniel Nestor will team for the hosts in doubles against Go Soeda and Yasutaka Uchiyam.

The anticipated showdown between 2014 Wimbledon semi-finalist Raonic and Nishikori will be the first reverse singles on Sunday, followed by Pospisil against Ito.

Nishikori has won four of his six ATP Tour encounters with Raonic.

Two of those losses to Nishikori have come in Tokyo, and Raonic said this week he was looking forward to having the home court advantage.

"Getting a chance to play him on home soil is something I look forward to," Raonic said, adding that the fast courts laid down by the hosts for the tie could play to his strengths."

Nishikori was looking forward to the challenge.

"We play a lot, and we always battle," Nishikori said. "It's never easy to play against him. He's a great server, a great aggressive player. It's always fun to play against Milos."

Draw made on Thursday for this weekend's Davis Cup World Group first-round tie between Canada and Japan at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver:

Friday (from 2100 GMT)

Milos Raonic (CAN) v Tatsuma Ito (JPN)

Vasek Pospisil (CAN) v Kei Nishikori (JPN))

Saturday (from 2000 GMT)

Daniel Nestor/Vasek Pospisil (CAN) v Go Soeda/Yasutaka Uchiyam (JPN)

Sunday (from 1900 GMT)

Milos Raonic (CAN) v Kei Nishikori (JPN)

Vasek Pospisil (CAN) v Tatsuma Ito (JPN)