SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Teenager Marina Stakusic scored the biggest victory of her career, helping Canada beat Spain 3-0 in Group C of the Billie Jean King Cup final on Wednesday.
Stakusic, 18 and ranked 258th in the world, beat 65th-ranked Rebeka Masarova 6-3, 6-1 to earn Canada the first point of the day at La Cartuja Stadium.
Before this triumph, Stakusic’s most important had been against Jaimee Fourlis, number 152, in 2022. She had never beaten a tennis player ranked among the top 100 in the world.
“I have a special feeling. It makes me believe that this is where I belong,” Stakusic said. “It’s also super special to win in front of all the Canadians I’ve worked with for a long time. What a feeling! This is by far the most important victory for me and will give me a lot of confidence for the future.
Leylah Fernández gave the Canadians the second point, winning 7-6 (8), 7-6 (7) against Sara Sorribes Tormo.
In doubles, Eugénie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski beat Sorribes Tormo and Masarova 6-2, 7-5.
Italy beat France 2-1 in Group D, with early victories in individual duels. Martina Trevisan came back to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 against Alize Cornet and Jasmine Paolini beat Caroline Garcia 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4.
France won the doubles match. García and Kristina Mladenovic beat Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Trevisan 5-7, 6-2, 10-6.
The 12 teams participating in the final compete in four groups, the members of which compete against each other. The winners of each group advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for this weekend.
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