Canada took a commanding 2-0 lead against hosts Serbia on the opening day of their Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-off as Rebecca Marino beat Nina Stojanovic 6-4 7-6(6) after Leylah Annie Fernandez fired the visitors ahead with a 7-5 4-6 6-4 win over Olga Danilovic.
Sterling performances by both visiting players gave the Canadians just reward as Fernandez outlasted Danilovic in a rip-roaring contest which went down to the wire, while Marino’s big serve and hammering forehand saw the 30-year old grind down Stojanovic.
Marino fired 10 aces and won 70 percent of the points on her first serve, having lashed in a big forehand return to clinch the opening set after both players traded stinging baseline shots throughout.
Stojanovic trailed for much of the second set as she struggled to hold serve but willed herself into staying in the contest. The Serbian played in fits and starts but after she saved a match point to force the tie-break, she appeared set to draw level after turning a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead.
Stojanovic had her back against the wall again moments later as she faced two match points and although she saved both of them, Marino held her nerve and gave Canada a massive advantage ahead of Saturday’s schedule.
Marino, who made her Billie Jean King Cup debut for Canada in 2011 when they were beaten by Serbia 3-2 in a World Group II contest, underscored she was still as passionate about playing for her country.
“Obviously I am super-stoked after the opening day and that’s putting it mildly,” she said in a courtside interview. “I am so motivated and passionate about tennis and I appreciate every moment I spend on the court. It was a great day one.”
Canada Team captain Heidi El Tabakh was delighted but stressed the tie was far from over.
“Rebecca was inspired by Leylah’s performance, she played super-aggressive and served well. She went for it from start to finish and that was her game plan,” El Tabakh told reporters.
“I know my players are tough to beat at their best, but you never know what’s going to happen out there. Tomorrow is a new day and it’s not over until it’s over. We expect a fight but we’re going to be ready.”
In the day’s opening rubber, Fernandez came out on top in a see-saw battle of left-handers as Danilovic failed to match the Canadian’s pace and ferocity in the third set, having also committed a flurry of double faults and unforced errors throughout the contest.
The Serbian trailed in the opening set and after managing to haul herself back into it at 5-3 down, she handed the lead to Fernandez with a costly double fault in the final game.
Danilovic showed some grit and determination in the second as she broke serve to take a 5-3 lead and sealed it thanks to an unforced error from Fernandez.
The third served up a dramatic climax with Fernandez digging deep to force Danilovic into submission.
The Canadian was in the driving seat after taking a 4-1 lead before the battling Danilovic broke back at 5-3 down to stay in the set, but could not hold her nerve at crunch time.
The hosts’ No. 2 squandered two chances to level the score on her serve and the relentless Fernandez, fresh from winning her maiden WTA title in Monterrey last month, clinched the rip-roaring contest in two hours 34 minutes with a fortuitous volley which came off the rim of her racket.
Danilovic could not hold back the tears in her own courtside interview and later elaborated at the online press conference she broke down because the interviewer was none other than her mother, a longtime Serbian state television (RTS) presenter.
“I am all right now but facing my mum as the interviewer was really a lot after a tough defeat,” she said. “I have no regrets. I played my best tennis, but it just wasn’t enough today. Leylah hit some incredible shots at crunch time and all I can do now is pull myself together for tomorrow’s reverse singles. I’ll be ready to play if I am selected.”
Serbia Team Captain Dusan Vemic was confident the competition’s 2012 runners-up were still in with a chance of turning things around, with Stojanovic taking on Fernandez in the opening reverse singles before Danilovic clashes with Marino.
Stojanovic and Aleksandra Krunic were named to face the Canadian duo of Sharon Fichman and Carol Zhao in the potentially decisive doubles.
“Both girls did their best but it’s the worst possible result after the opening day,” said Vemic.
“We now have to make sure Nina recuperates for the opening reverse singles against Fernandez tomorrow. We believe we can keep the tie alive and take it to the doubles. If we manage to do that, we will have a good chance of winning.”
