Canada surprised the game at the start of the rotation of the Billie Jean King Cup finals by beating defending and first-seeded France.
The duo formed by Gabriela Dabrowski and Rebecca Marino settled the debate with a victory in two sets – 6-3 and 7-6 (6) – against the French Alizé Cornet and Clara Burel.
Earlier today, Françoise Abanda got the tournament off to a good start for the Canadian team by winning the first single. But Cornet, 59e world player in singles, then tied the game by beating Marino.
24-year-old Abanda came from behind to post a three-set victory – 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 – at the expense of Fiona Ferro raising the curtain of this tournament, formerly the Fed Cup , played at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic
Find your rhythm
Abanda was an underdog in this match, she who points to the 353e ranking in singles compared to 105e rank for Ferro.
“I know her very well, because I evolved with her in the juniors, we are the same age. So I knew what to expect from him, ”said Abanda after his victory.
“She is much higher ranked than me and she has had very good results in recent years. I expected a tough game. It all happened on a few points. “
Abanda seemed to find his rhythm in the second set. Led 2-0, she recovered to break the French twice in a row and take the lead 4-2. Serving for the set at 5-4, the Canadian won her serve by conceding just one point to Ferro.
“In the first set I could have collapsed and lost in two sets,” Abanda said. I hung on, I went back to 3e set. Frankly, I’m happy with my performance. If I have to play again, I hope to continue this momentum. “
Abanda delighted Ferro’s serve in the third game of the third set. Destabilized by this break, the Frenchwoman began to commit a few more unforced errors. The Canadian methodically defended her services until the end to offer Canada the first point of the meeting.
The Montrealer has always offered good tennis in team competitions, as evidenced by her 6-4 record in singles in seven appearances with the Canadian team.
“I really enjoy playing these team matches. My best results are in the Fed Cup. It’s always a good atmosphere for me. “
Marino, who had 24 winning shots against just 12 for her rival, then offered strong opposition, but Cornet managed to win 6-4, 7-6 (5) nonetheless.