Canada blanks Spain in Billie Jean King Cup play

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Aug 5, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Marina Stakusic (CAN) hits a forehand against Alycia Parks (USA) (not pictured) in first round qualifying play at IGA Stadium.
Aug 5, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Marina Stakusic (CAN) hits a forehand against Alycia Parks (USA) (not pictured) in first round qualifying play at IGA Stadium.
Image: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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