Canada Wins First Billie Jean King Cup
By Faraj Benlahoucine
Published on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 8:41 p.m.
Canada made history on Sunday by winning their first-ever Billie Jean King Cup, defeating Italy with a score of 2-0. In an impressive display of skill, an 18-year-old rising star and Leylah Fernandez outperformed their higher-ranked opponents in the WTA.
In their first final appearance, the Canadian team emerged victorious against Italy in the Billie Jean King Cup held in Seville. Despite being considered underdogs, Marina Stakusic, ranked 258th in the WTA hierarchy, surprisingly dominated Martina Trevisan, the 43rd player in the world, with a score of 7-5, 6-4. Stakusic managed to break Trevisan’s serve three times in each set, capitalizing on the Italian’s 39 unforced errors.
The second match witnessed another impressive performance from Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, ranked 35th in the world, as she outclassed Jasmine Paolini, who is ranked 30th in the WTA rankings, with a score of 6-2, 6-3. Despite a low service success percentage of 48%, Fernandez managed to break Paolini’s serve three times in each set. Fernandez showcased better control and hit more winning shots (24 against 10), while Paolini struggled with 29 direct errors.
With this victory, Canada adds their name to the prestigious list of Billie Jean King Cup winners in 2023, following in the footsteps of Switzerland who won the title last year. It is worth noting that France has won this trophy three times, with their most recent victory dating back to 2019.
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2 Responses
“Canada’s remarkable triumph in the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup by defeating Italy sends shockwaves through the tennis world. This sensational victory showcases the immense talent and determination of the Canadian team, solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations to Canada on this historic achievement!”
What a remarkable achievement for Canada! Their victory against Italy in the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup was nothing short of sensational. Congratulations to the team on this historic win!