Italy victorious over France in opening Group D match at BJK Cup
Italy took a big step towards the semi-finals with an excellent showing against France, while Canada have an unassailable 2-0 lead against Spain
Tennis – Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers – Slovakia v Italy – NTC Arena, Bratislava, Slovakia – April 15, 2023 Italy’s Jasmine Paolini reacts during her singles match against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova || 263280_0020
The second day of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals saw Italy get the better of France in a clash between two tennis-nation heavyweights to open up Group D.
The Italians dominated their singles ties to move into an unassailable 2-0 lead, before the French duo of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic earned a consolation point for team France with their doubles victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Martina Trevisan.
Earlier in the day, Trevisan had got Italy off to the perfect start with a hard-fought win against Alize Cornet. The Italian had to fight back from a set down to eventually clinch the opener 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 and move team Italy 1-0 up.
“It’s something I have in my body to keep fighting for every ball,” Trevisan said after her win, having appeared in trouble after a comfortable opening-set win for Cornet.
An even tougher three-setter followed, with Jasmine Paolini coming through an epic to upset world No 20 Garcia 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4 in a contest that lasted for two hours and 39 minutes.
With the win, Paolini had steered Italy to victory in the tie as Italy moved 2-0 up, making the deciding doubles significant only in the context of points difference. The fact that France were able to clinch that win may still prove pivotal in the final group standings.
Italy’s win moves them to the top of Group D and in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals as things stand. However, both teams will still have to play Germany before the final standings are settled. All three teams can still qualify as the group winner as things currently stand.
18-year-old debutant Stakusic helps Canada to excellent win over Spain
The story of the day arguably came in day two’s second tie, as tournament debutant Marina Stakusic blitzed Rebeka Masarova 6-3, 6-1 to give Canada an unexpected 1-0 lead against a highly-experienced Spanish contingent.
Only 18 years old, and with a ranking of 258 in the world, beating world No 65 Masarova in front of a global audience is surely the biggest win of the young Canadian’s career so far.
Her more experienced Canadian team-mate Leylah Fernandez – herself only 21 – then came through a mammoth match against Sara Sorribes Tormo to put her country 2-0 up against the Spanish and seal the tie for the Canadians.
Despite only being two sets, it took Fernandez two hours and 53 minutes before her opponent’s resistance finally broke, with the 2021 US Open finalist eventually winning 7-6 (8), 7-6(9).
Sorribes Tormo had led by a break in each set, but Fernandez’s recent form helped her over the line in a very physical encounter.
Canada now top Group C, with both countries still having to play Poland before the end of the group stage.
