Raonic lifts Canada into semis

Vancouver - Milos Raonic defeated Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 on Sunday to give Canada an insurmountable 3-1 lead over Italy in their Davis Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

The Canadians advanced to a September semi-final against Serbia, which defeated the United States on Sunday.

Canada has never been in the world group semi-finals since the current Davis Cup format began in 1981. Canada did reach a semifinal in 1913, losing to the US.

Canada took a 2-1 lead when Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil teamed up for a five-set decision over Fabio Fognini and Daniele Braccaili on Saturday.

It was Raonic's second win of the weekend, having opened the series with a singles victory over Fognini.