Leylah Fernandez won two tiebreaks match against Sara Sorribes
Photo: ITF
Seville (Spain) – In a game that was physically demanding and emotionally exhausting, left-hander Leylah Fernandez scored an important victory for Canada to close out the clash against Spain in Group C of the Billie Jean King Cup, in Seville. Fernandez, 21 years old and 35th in the rankings, stayed on the court for 2h54 to win a game of two tiebreaks against Sara Sorribes, 50th ranked, by 7/6 (10-8) and 7/6 (9-7).
During this Wednesday’s match, Fernandez saved five set points. There were three in the tiebreak of the first part and two others in the second set, in which Sorribes led 5/2 and did not take advantage of the chance to close. In the second tiebreak, the Canadian made two double faults, but managed to recover to close the game and avoid a third set.
Leylah Fernandez’s record in the Billie Jean King Cup is very good. She marked her ninth victory in 12 singles matches in the competition. Furthermore, she also won the three doubles matches in which she was cast.
The clash between Canada and Spain began with a victory for 18-year-old Marina Stakusic, just 258th in the rankings, who beat 65th in the world Rebeka Masarova, 6/3 and 6/1. It was Stakusic’s debut at the Billie Jean King Cup and also her first victory against a top 100 tennis player.
In the doubles match, Eugenie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski beat Rebeka Masarova and Sara Sorribes by 6/3 and 7/5. The 3-0 victory in the match leaves Canada very close to the semifinals. The Canadians, in fact, can qualify this Thursday, if they beat Poland, in a match scheduled for noon (Brasília).
