Canada stayed perfect in the Billie Jean King Cup by defeating Poland in Seville, Spain on Thursday to reach the final four of the competition for the second time in its history.
The Maple Leaf only played in the semifinals in 1988, when this international tournament was still called the Fed Cup. The Canadians, led by Helen Kelesi and Jill Hetherington, were then defeated by Czechoslovakia.
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It was Quebec’s Leylah Fernandez who helped her country exit the group stage with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Magda Linette. She took advantage of her Polish opponent’s serving difficulties to break her five times.
“I am extremely proud to represent Canada,” she said after the meeting. Reaching the semi-finals of the World Tennis Championships means that Canada is making progress and getting better at tennis. Now we want what the men have achieved, which is to win the Davis Cup. It would be a dream for us to win the Billie Jean King Cup.”
In the first duel of the day, Marina Stakusic impressed again by overcoming a delay and defeating Magdalena Frech in three sets 4:6, 7:5 and 6:3.
“This week has been one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had,” said Stakusic. I’m so happy I was able to fight today and find a way to be successful and give Canada the win.”
In today’s doubles, Eugenie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski easily defeated Katarzyna Kawa and Weronika Falkowska in straight sets of 6:2 and 6:3. This game was played at a high tempo, with the four players only on the field for a total of 58 minutes.
Hope is there
If we heed Captain Heidi El Tabakh’s words, the best could be yet to come.
“I’m so, so proud of my girls and everyone,” she said. However, I know the girls are still hungry and our ultimate goal is to win the Billie Jean King Cup. I believe in my girls and I believe we can do this.”
The day before, Canada beat Spain 3-0. The Canadian team consists of Quebecers Leylah Fernandez and Eugenie Bouchard as well as Stakusic, Dabrowski and Rebecca Marino.
Poland could not count the first world player, Iga Swiatek, in its ranks. She is represented by Linette, Frech, Kawa, Falkowska and Martyna Kubka.