Canada secures win in Billie Jean Cup Finals
Today, the Canadian team presented by Sobeys won its first tie at the Billie Jean King Cup presented by BNP Paribas Finals with a 2-1 victory over reigning champions France. The triumph means Team Canada is now leading Group A, which also includes the Russian Tennis Federation.
In the first singles match, No. 353 Françoise Abanda upset No.105 Fiona Ferro in three tight sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Playing with conviction and exceptional self-confidence, the Quebecer orchestrated a sensational comeback in the second set by winning four straight games, including two breaks, to take control and force a third. She cemented the win at 6-4, in just over two hours (2:18).
“Right now, Fiona [Ferro] is ranked higher than I am. She had a few good results this year, and I knew it was going to be a tough match,” said Abanda. “I play really well at team competitions and was feeling confident. I could have collapsed and lost in two sets, but I hung in there and came back in the third. Frankly, I’m pretty happy with my performance.”
Next up was Rebecca Marino (Vancouver, BC) who took on No.59 Alizé Cornet. Despite her valiant efforts, the Canadian couldn’t repeat Françoise’s success and fell in two sets 6-4, 7-6(5). Still, Marino showed tremendous resilience: down 3-1 in the second, she turned to her powerful serve (4 aces, 69% first serve percentage) to win three straight games and get ahead 4-3. The battle got so heated that it took a tiebreaker to decide the outcome. In the end, Cornet clawed her way back from 1-4 and closed things out at 7-5.
Marino wasted no time exacting revenge on her opponent, teaming up with Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa, ON) in doubles to claim the last match of the tie and defeat Cornet and 20-year-old Clara Burel in two sets 6-3, 7-6(6). The Canadians won the first set in only 28 minutes but had to fight for the second and erase a 2-5 deficit. Thanks to some inspired tennis by Dabrowski, who recently reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in doubles, the pair kept the momentum going and secured the team’s first key win.
“It’s phenomenal. I said we could come here and surprise some people and that definitely happened today,” said Gabriela Dabrowski. “I’m really proud of everyone’s performance, in singles and doubles.”
“I think we have a belief in our team and we have good teamwork. It’s just a matter of having trust in each other and keeping up the fight. We know we can pull it off,” added Rebecca Marino. “Losing in a tight singles match and coming out in the doubles is extra motivation. We all played successfully as a team.”
“It was an amazing performance by the girls. They played with heart and courage. They went for their shots and believed in themselves, and that made the difference,” affirmed interim captain Sylvain Bruneau. “It was a tall order to play against France in the first round, and I’m very proud of them for playing such brilliant tennis."
In the last Group A tie, the Canadian team faces a huge challenge in the Russian Tennis Federation. The clashes are set to get underway tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. EST on Court 1 at O2 Arena in Prague