Billie Jean King Cup 2023: Canada beat Italy to clinch first women's team world crown
Leylah Fernandez and Marina Stakusic were Canada's heroes as they completed a historic week in the final in Seville.
Tennis
Leylah Fernandez capped her perfect week by securing the decisive rubber as Canada defeated Italy 2-0 in the Billie Jean King Cup Final in Seville, Spain on Sunday (12 November).
The 2021 US Open runner-up beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-3 to secure a first women's team world title for the side captained by Heidi El Tabakh.
Fernandez was unbeaten for the entirety of the finals and engineered Canada's semi-final comeback on Saturday against 11-time champions Czechia.
The 21-year-old defeated this year's Wimbledon hero Marketa Vondrousova and then teamed up with Gabriela Dabrowski to despatch Olympic champions Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova as Canada reached their first Billie Jean King Cup final.
Leylah Fernandez applies finishing touch after Marina Stakusic shines
Teenager Marina Stakusic had given Canada a surprise lead when she defeated Martina Trevisan 7-5, 6-3 in the first singles rubber.
The 18-year-old, ranked 258 in the world, used her big forehand to good effect as she went into a 4-1 lead.
Trevisan broke twice to lead 5-4 and served for the set, but Stakusic roared back to win the next three games and draw first blood.
World number 43 Trevisan, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, broke in the first game of a wild second set.
There was just one hold of serve in the first six games with Stakusic then holding for a 5-2 lead.
The Italian left-hander saved four match points to prolong proceedings, but the youngster showed no nerves on serve as she held to love to complete her first win against a Top 50 player.
Fernandez broke in the opening game against Paolini, but the world number 30 hit back to level at 2-2.
That merely spurred the in-form left-hander into action with Fernandez reeling off the next four games to take the opening set.
With Paolini's frustration growing, the Canadians could scent victory with Fernandez soon serving for the match at 5-2.
She was unable to serve it out, but then broke Paolini to 15 with a blistering backhand pass to start the celebrations in front of the watching Billie Jean King.
El Tabakh said in her on-court interview, "Honestly i don't even know what to say. I'm so so proud of this team. It's so surreal. I'm so happy for this team, for everyone. We've had an incredible week. It's a dream come true."