(Seville) Canada captain Heidi el Tabakh rolled the dice by deciding to use youth over experience in Canada’s first Billie Jean King Cup match against Spain.
Her gamble paid off on Wednesday, when Ontario rookie Marina Stakusic surprised Rebeka Masarova 6-3, 6-1 to sign the most important victory of her young career.
“I just tried to have really good energy from the start and show that I deserved to be here,” said the 18-year-old. I am very happy with my performance.
Quebecer Leylah Fernandez confirmed Canada’s victory in this best-of-three series by defeating Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-6 (9), 7-6 (7).
Fernando, 35e in the world, needed two hours and 53 minutes to win this roller coaster match. She erased a 5-2 deficit in the second set and then saved two set points in the tiebreaker before triumphing on her first match point.
The clash between Canada and Spain will conclude later on Wednesday with a doubles match. Gabriela Dabrowski and Quebecer Eugenie Bouchard will face Cristina Busca and Marina Bassols. Bouchard took over from Fernandez.
PHOTO MARCELO DEL POZO, REUTERS
Marina Stakusic celebrates after winning her match against Spaniard Rebeka Masarova.
Stakusic, who is at 258e world rank, took barely more than an hour to overcome Masarova, 65e in the world, on the cement of the Estadio la Cartuja in Seville. She also beat the highest ranked player since the start of her professional career.
Things could have gotten out of hand at the end of the match, when Stakusic faced three break points while leading 4-1 in the second set. Masarova, however, was unable to take advantage of the opportunity to shake the representative of the maple leaf. Stakusic instead came back to attack in the next game by making her fourth break to seal the outcome of the match.
The Mississauga player therefore converted four of her seven break points against Masarova, who was unable to break her in five attempts. In addition, Stakusic obtained 75% of his points with his first ball, compared to only 56% for his opponent. The representative of the maple leaf also knew how to limit direct errors; she committed nine, compared to 33 for the Spaniard.
“I think my calmness was very important today,” observed Stakusic. I am proud of myself for remaining calm during the confrontation. »
Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino will be rested on Wednesday. Canada is scheduled to play its second group stage match on Thursday against Poland.
The winning country of Group C, to which Canada belongs, will advance to the semi-finals. The final of this competition, which brings together 12 national teams, must take place on Sunday.
