MADRID, 8 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish team got off to a bad start in the round robin of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which are held at the La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, with the defeat of Rebeka Masarova in the first point of the tie against Canada.
The Spanish debutant, although she had already played two doubles matches, suffered the nerves of the debut and was defeated by a young Marina Stakusic, 18 years old and number 258 in the world, 6-3, 6-1. The importance of the premiere and the status of hostess, as well as favorite theorist, turned against Masarova.
This year’s finalist in Auckland was surprised by Stakusic who did not concede a single break option to her rival in the first set, and scored the lead after breaking the Spanish in the fourth game. Masarova, who took the place that indicated Paula Badosa without filming, continued to fall in the second set.
The American tennis player went 4-0, at which point the local player tried to make good on La Cartuja’s push. Anabel Medina’s pupil had options to break her rival’s serve in the next two turns, but Stakusic held on with surprising solidity, in what was also her debut in the Tennis World Cup.
Thus, Spain starts from behind against Canada in Group C, with the option still, although without margin for error, of overcoming the tie. To do this, Sara Sorribes must next beat Leylah Fernández, which would make the doubles decide the match. Poland is the third team in this group in search of the semifinals.