VANCOUVER | Leylah Fernandez was quick on the first day of the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier between Canada and Latvia played on Friday at the Pacific Coliseum.
In front of a conquered crowd in Vancouver, who gave her a warm welcome at the start of the match, Fernandez easily won 6-1 and 6-2 over Darja Semenistaja to give Canada a first point in this disputed break. best of five matches.
Only 53 minutes were needed to close the file.
The Quebecer started the match with force by breaking her opponent in the second game. Broken in turn in the next game, the 21and racquet in the world has rebounded and won the last four games to take the initial inning. Finally, she managed seven breaks in nine attempts.
“The key was to be aggressive,” she explained. I remember my first participation in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2019. I was very nervous and I missed easy points. I wanted to put pressure on my opponent who was on his first appearance. »
His forehand wreaked havoc. She landed 12 of her 16 winning shots with him.
“We’re always trying to improve my game. I’m glad my forehands stayed in play and I was able to take advantage of the short balls. I’m still learning, “said the 19-year-old athlete
strong support
In her first appearance at home at the Billie Jean King Cup in four selections, the finalist of the last presentation of the United States Open was dominant against an opponent of the same age, left-handed like her, but who was experiencing her baptism of the team competition and who occupies the 389and world rank.
“It was great to be on the field in front of a fan crowd,” she said. The cheers and encouragement from the fans helped me. The crowd was loud and did a great job. Like before every game, I was nervous and had butterflies, but I managed to manage my emotions well. »
Fernandez likes to find himself in this electric atmosphere.
“It was similar to the crowd in New York where people don’t hesitate to cheer on their favourites. It makes our sport even more special and it increases interest in tennis. I wish it was like this more often. »
In the second set, the Canadian gave up her serve twice and Semenistaja came within a point of closing the gap to 4-3, but the Lavalloise came from behind to make it 5-2 and close on her serve in scoring his first ace of the match on the penultimate point. She finished the match with four double faults and lost her serve on three occasions.
“When you get broken, there is always a fear that you will find yourself in trouble and that your opponent will take his rhythm, she admitted. No matter the game, you know you’re going to double fault and make mistakes, but I stayed calm and found solutions. I finished the match strong on my serve. »
marino also victorious
The second confrontation of this first day pitted against Rebecca Marino (111and) and Daniela Vismane (203and), Latvia’s highest-ranked player in British Columbia.-
After winning the first set 6-3, Marino escaped the second set 6-7(7) in the tiebreaker before coming back strong with a 6-3 in the tiebreaker.
Playing in front of family and friends, the Vancouver resident scored two aces to close out the game. The 31-year-old had 17 aces to earn Canada a second point.
Leylah Fernandez can propel Canada into the World Group on Saturday afternoon if she defeats Daniela Vismane.