Team Canada won their first tie against Italy at the Billie Jean King shutting out Italy 3-0 on Thursday.
Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez led the way for Canada who are playing with their strongest team (in terms of ranking) since 2019 when Andreescu last played against the Netherlands.
Former Grand Slam winner Andreescu got things rolling in the first match against 21-year-old Elisabetta Cocciareto who she defeated in straight sets – 7-6, 6-3 – in one hour and 44 minutes. The Canadian served one ace and won 69% of her first serve points which turned into quite the tussle on the smaller court one.
It was actually Cocciareto who had the better start as she was able to hold serve in her opening game and jumped out to a 3-0 lead. After winning her first game of the set, Andresscu fought back to go back on serve.
The Italian managed to break the world number 45 serve again but at 5-3, the Toronto native broke back again using her backhand to great effect with some spectacular shot-making.
The first set needed to be decided by a tiebreaker and it was back and forth once again before eventually the Canadian was able to get a crucial point to lead 5-3 and that was enough to take the first set.
Once again in the second set, the world number 65 managed to get the early break to take a 2-0 lead but Andreescu responded by breaking right back and at 4-3 broke serve again and served out the match.
“I think I played great tennis, especially coming back from being 5-2 down. The support from everyone that are in the stands, my cheerleaders from Canada, I’m glad that they came down. Without their support, I don’t know if I could have pulled the win today. So I’m very grateful.” She said afterwards.
Holding a 1-0 lead in the tie, Canada sent out Leylah Fernandez to face Martina Trevisan in the second rubber. They had faced each other this year at the French Open. That was the match where Fernandez suffered her injury which took her out of action for a long period.
Their latest clash wasn’t even close as the Montreal native was able to pull off the infamous double bagel 6-0, 6-0 in a mere 45 minutes. Fernadez finished with two aces and won 83% of her first serve points.
That win sealed the tie for Canada and the doubles duo of Gabriella Dabrowski, who are currently ranked number six in the world in doubles, came out with Fernandez to face Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti.
That match also was a blowout as the Canadians were able to win comfortably 6-1, 6-1 in 46 minutes and make it a perfect 3-0 score on aggregate.
“I think today was just a great day overall for everyone. Bianca played a great match. I think I was just so happy that I was able to follow it up with a great performance.” said Fernandez.
“The support I was receiving in the crowd, the support I was receiving by the bench behind me was incredible. It definitely helped me to keep focus and keep improving every game.”
Canada will now face Switzerland on Friday.
