Canada Crushes Italy in BJK Cup Opening Tie
It was a double bagel delivered by Leylah Fernandez to Italy’s Martina Trevisan to put the exclamation point on Canada’s 3-0 defeat of Italy in Group Stage play at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Glasgow, Scotland.
Canada got off to the best possible start to the tournament, sweeping Italy and setting up a winner - moves - on tie with Switzerland on Friday, November 10th.
Bianca Andreescu Defeats Cocciaretto
Bianca Andreescu started the day with a come from behind victory over Italy’s #2 player Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
After a messy first set where there was a combined 20 winners and 42 unforced errors between the two women, Andreescu was able to find better form and take the second set 6-3.
After the match I asked Bianca about competing with team captain Sylvain Burneau again, and this is what she had to say:
“It’s definitely nice to be back with Sylvain, we’ve worked since like 2014 together on and off… And then you know he was full time with me basically so it’s really nice because he knows my game very very well and he’s a very calm and composed person which I think I need on my team because I can get kinda crazy, so it’s definitely very nice.”
About Andreesu’s coaching set up going forward:
“I haven’t made a decision yet, but I have been interviewing some people, so I think I have some great options to choose from.”
Leylah Fernandez Double Bagel’s Trevisan
It was a shockingly straight forward performance for Canada’s Fernandez over an off-her-game Martina Trevisan.
6-0, 6-0 in 44 minutes. About as dominant as it gets.
Trevisan is a clay court specialist, but Leylah Fernandez undoubtedly was looking for revenge after Trevisan beat her in a 3 set battle at Roland Garros this year (where Leylah was competing with a foot fracture).
Trevisan had 4 winners to 26 unforced errors, where Fernandez was clinical with 14 winners to 8 unforced errors for the match.
Canada Beats Italy in Doubles at Billie Jean King Cup
To wrap up the sweep, Leylah Fernandez teamed up with Gabriela Dabrowski to take down Lucia Bronzetti and Jamsin Paolini 6-1, 6-1 in 46 minutes.
Basically, everything Leylah touched turned to Canadian gold today.
Canada vs Switzerland to Play for Semi-Final Spot
Canada and Switzerland, who both have a 1-0 (and sweeps over Italy) will play tomorrow for a spot in the Semi-Finals.
This will be a winner takes all scenario, and with two very talented teams, it’s sure to be a tough one.
Team Switzerland
Belinda Bencic
Jil Teichman
Viktorijka Golubic
Team Canada
Leylah Fernandez
Bianca Andreescu
Rebecca Marino
The selected players for singles and doubles won’t be selected until tomorrow, but any of the combinations will be tantalizing contests.