Magic Runs Out in Malaga for Canada at Billie Jean King Cup

Sunday in Malaga was a type of days when issues simply didn’t appear to wish to break Group Canada’s approach on the Billie Jean King Cup. 

The title defence got here to an finish by the hands of Nice Britain within the quarter-finals, with Leylah Annie Fernandez and Rebecca Marino shedding in straight units. 

Each matches had comparable vibes. The Canadian participant obtained off to a gradual begin with a nightmarish first set. They’d flashes within the second set however in the end couldn’t full their comebacks because the Brits, who had the added benefit of an enormous British cheering part that massively outnumbered the Canadian followers (who nonetheless cheered their hearts out from begin to end) which made it really feel nearly like a British residence tie, have been just too strong and made only a few errors. 

Considerably symbolically, virtually each ball that hit the online twine went the way in which the Brits would need. 

Put merely, it simply was not Canada’s day. 

“I believe they [Team Great Britain] did what they needed to do, and sadly I didn’t do what I wanted to do to get the win. That’s type of the way it went,” analyzed Fernandez in her post-match press convention. 

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The Canadian No. 1’s loss to Katie Boulter, which clinched the victory for the Brits, was the Canadian’s first loss on the Billie Jean King Cup in two years, ending her eight-match successful streak. 

“From the primary level all the way in which to the final I at all times attempt to hold combating. I don’t strive to surrender on any event. At first of the match, I used to be doing properly to maintain it shut, however it was just some vital factors the place Katie [Boulter] discovered a approach to hit a winner or power a mistake from my finish. Then within the second set it was type of the identical story to start with. I believe close to the top of the second set, close to the top of the match, I began placing extra balls in, and that type of helped, however it was somewhat too late for us,” defined Fernandez. 

Gabriela Dabrowski, who was honoured with the Billie Jean King Cup Dedication Award previous to the tie, didn’t even get an opportunity to increase her seven-match successful streak, because the doubles was cancelled with the end result already assured after the singles. 

One main problem for the Canadians on Sunday was underneath their ft. Group Canada had not practised on the match court docket within the days main as much as the tie. Nice Britain had already performed a tie on it and have been way more aware of the circumstances.  

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Marino referred to studying the court docket on the go as “a problem” and identified that they “positively play completely different from the observe courts,” though additionally insisted it was not a think about her end result. Fernandez expressed comparable sentiments. 

The truth that Canada had not practised on the match court docket previous to Sunday was not an organizational error or dangerous planning by anybody on-site in Malaga. It was really Mom Nature’s fault.  

The Canadians have been attributable to observe on the match court docket earlier within the week however needed to cancel due to extreme rainfall and flood warnings in Malaga. The dangerous climate additionally compelled complete ties to be pushed again, which then restricted the supply of the match court docket for crew practices later within the week. 

In brief, it was only a stroke of dangerous luck.  

Even in defeat, even with all of the forces working in opposition to them this week, the Canadian crew have been nonetheless capable of finding some positivity on the finish. 

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“I’m happy with the match as an entire, simply because on paper I’m type of the underdog, and I believe I confirmed that I can step up even no matter what’s occurring with the scoreline, and I can change it and switch it round,” stated Marino after her loss. “My recreation is correct there. I’ve had a very good finish of season, and positively the assumption is there. It’s only a matter of letting it click on.” 

“I’m at all times happy with my ladies. I do know they went on the market to win, and I do know they performed their hearts out,” stated captain Heidi El Tabakh. “You realize what? We are able to’t win all of them. However total, I’m at all times, at all times happy with my ladies and the hassle they put on the market and couldn’t ask for a greater crew.” 

CLICK HERE for every part you want to know in regards to the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Finals.

Viewers can watch Group Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals and Davis Cup Last 8 ties free of charge on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports activities app, and CBC Sports activities’ official YouTube channel. The ties can even be out there in French, as TVA Sports activities and TVA Sports activities Direct will likely be displaying Canada’s matchups, in addition to all semifinals and finals.