Marina Stakusic and Leylah Fernandez notched singles victories on Wednesday to help Canada post a 3-0 victory over Spain in Group C play at the Billie Jean King Cup at Seville, Spain.
In Group D play, Italy posted a 2-1 victory over France.
Twelve teams are divided into four groups to begin the event with round-robin play. The winner of each group will advance to play in the semifinals on Saturday, and the final is scheduled for Sunday.
Each match consists of two singles matches followed by a doubles match.
Canada received a solid performance from the 18-year-old Stakusic in its first competition of the event. Stakusic saved all five break points she faced while producing a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Spain’s Rebeka Masarova.
Fernandez clinched the win for Canada by outlasting Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-6 (8), 7-6 (7). In doubles, Eugenie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski registered a 6-3, 7-5 win over Masarova and Sorribes Tormo.
Italy received singles victories from Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini during its victory, also its first match of the event.
Trevisan rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over France’s Alize Cornet, and Paolini overcame 18 aces by Caroline Garcia to grab a 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4 upset win. In doubles, Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic beat Trevisan and Elisabetta Cocciaretto 5-7, 6-2, 10-6.
On Thursday, the United States team consisting of Danielle Collins, Sofia Kenin, Peyton Stearns, Sloane Stephens and Taylor Townsend begins Group A play by facing Switzerland.
Australia and Kazakhstan square off in Group B play, Canada and Poland play in Group C and Italy meets Germany in Group D.
Billie Jean King Cup group standings:
Group A
1. Czech Republic, 1-0
2. United States, 0-0
3. Switzerland, 0-1
Group B
1. Slovenia, 1-0
2. Kazakhstan, 0-0
3. Australia, 0-1
Group C
1. Canada, 1-0
2. Poland, 0-0
3. Spain, 0-1
Group D
1. Italy, 1-0
2. Germany, 0-0
3. France, 0-1
–Field Level Media
