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The ladies of Crew Canada introduced by Sobeys discover themselves in uncharted territory.
After they step out on court docket on Saturday for his or her Billie Jean King Cup semifinals, will probably be the primary time that any of them will see Canadian representatives within the ultimate 4 of the group competitors.
That’s as a result of the final time Canada made it to the semifinals of this occasion, then referred to as the Federations Cup, was in 1988. The oldest member of this yr’s group, Rebecca Marino, was born two years after that.
It has been a very long time coming for the Canadians to get again to this stage.
“I’m extraordinarily completely satisfied, excited, ecstatic for enjoying within the semis,” stated Leylah Annie Fernandez after scoring the clinching point on Thursday towards Magda Linette of Poland. “It means the world to me. It means the world to us. It signifies that Canada goes up in tennis and we’re producing loads of nice tennis gamers. Each single yr we maintain bettering and studying from our errors.”
“It’s the consequence we have been hoping for, it couldn’t have gone significantly better than right now,” expressed captain Heidi El Tabakh. “It’s been an unbelievable 48 hours for us. I’m very happy with the ladies. They manner they fought and carried out on the court docket was unbelievable.”
On paper, Canada was not the favorite of their group. Whereas Fernandez was the second-highest-ranked singles participant among the many three nations (behind No. 23-ranked Linette), she was the lone singles participant on Crew Canada ranked contained in the Prime 150. One another nation had not less than two singles gamers contained in the Prime 100.
In keeping with the Billie Jean King Cup rankings, Canada (No. 6) was the second-best group within the group behind No. 3 Spain.
Learn additionally: Canada Completes Sweep of Spain at Billie Jean King Cup
However rankings are simply numbers on paper. They imply nothing as soon as the ball is in play.
Canada didn’t simply cruise via the group, they hardly regarded threatened a lot of the time.
“I’m happy with the way in which that I performed but in addition the way in which that the group has been taking part in,” stated Fernandez. “Marina [Stakusic] has been doing superb the primary few matches. I’m tremendous completely satisfied that she’s getting the wins for us. What I’m most happy with is the way in which we’ve been competing in each match.”
Via six matches through the group stage, the Canadians misplaced only one set. Each of their ties have been 3-0 victories, even though their gamers have been ranked decrease in three out of 4 singles matches.
Learn additionally: Team Canada Relishing Opportunity Against Hosts Spain
Within the 35 years since Canada reached the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup, the panorama of the game has utterly modified within the Nice White North. For a very long time, tennis struggled to maintain up with the most important North American group sports activities for relevance, however during the last decade or so, it has begun to develop as Canadian gamers noticed extra success.
That culminated in Canada’s victory on the Davis Cup final yr, one thing the ladies at the moment are trying to replicate.
“We simply need what the lads have been capable of do and for us to win the Billie Jean King Cup can be a dream,” stated Fernandez.
“This positively feels nice, however I do know the ladies are nonetheless hungry and the final word purpose for us is to win the Billie Jean King Cup and I consider in my ladies. I consider we are able to do it,” elaborated El Tabakh. “That’s what everyone seems to be preventing for.”
Stakusic, who has been revelation for the team this week in Seville, pointed to the success of Canadian gamers over current years, together with her teammates, as a purpose for the expansion of the sport in Canada.
Learn extra: Canadians Look to Shine At ATP Challenger and ITF Events in Calgary
“It’s the inspiration of Leylah, Felix [Auger-Aliassime], Denis [Shapovalov], Bianca [Andreescu] that’s inspiring loads of youngsters to start out taking part in tennis.”
She additionally credited the nationwide federation, saying, “They’ve helped me lots, particularly within the final yr or two. Lots of people are beginning to play tennis. The entire federation itself is de facto good in Canada.”
Learn additionally: Team Canada Eliminated at Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Finals
The 18-year-old was a little bit of a shock decide, each for the group after which to play, however she greater than justified captain Heidi El Tabakh’s decide with two spectacular victories.
“It’s truthful to say a champion is born,” stated El Tabakh. “All of us believed in her talents and capabilities however I feel she surpassed everybody’s expectations and simply confirmed everybody that she belongs right here so I’m excited for her future as a result of she’s going to be unbelievable.”
Canada awaits the winner of Group A, both Czechia or the US, within the semifinals, which is able to happen on Saturday.
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