Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
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VANCOUVER — Canada’s Rebecca Marino posted a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 win over Latvia’s Daniela Vismane on Friday in Billie Jean King Cup qualifying.
The win gave Canada a 2-0 lead in the duel after Quebec’s Leylah Fernandez outscored Darja Seminstaja in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.
Marino, the world’s 111th racket, used her powerful serve to defeat Vismane as she hit 17 aces during the clash. One of his balls went through the net at 200 kilometers per hour.
But Marino, Canada’s second seed, also made a few unforced errors. She committed 55 in that match, which lasted two hours and seven minutes.
The series will continue on Saturday, with two more singles matches and a doubles duel. The winners of this qualifier will advance to the tournament finals, which will take place in November.
Marino used her powerful serve to take the first set Friday, but had to play catch-up tennis in the second set, during which she committed 21 unforced errors.
The crowd stayed behind their home favorite and there was loud applause when she tied the game 6-6.
A series of errors, however, cost Marino dearly in the tiebreaker and Vismane won the second set.
The 31-year-old Marino made three of her six break points during the encounter, including one midway through the third set, as she took a 4-2 lead.
She confirmed her victory by landing another ace.
Ranked 21st in the world, Fernandez hit an ace and converted seven of her nine break points during her match. However, she experienced some difficulties by committing four double faults.
Fernandez entered the match as Canada’s best player. Semenistaja, the 389th player in the world, is the second highest ranked player in the Latvian team.
Fernandez took an early lead on Friday, allowing no points to Semenistaja in the first game.
The Latvian smashed her opponent in the third game, but the 19-year-old Quebecer rebounded to win all the following games.
Fernandez started to falter halfway through the second set.
Leading 4-1, the Canadian representative double faulted and then struggled with her returns. Semenistaja broke it to zero to close the gap.
Fernandez regained his break the next game when Semenistaja sent a ball into the net and another out of bounds.
Finalist at the last United States Open, Fernandez closed the books without giving the Latvian a point in the last game.
Fernandez is due to face Vismane on Saturday. Semenistaja and Marino will battle it out afterwards, before Canadians Gabriela Dabrowski and Carol Zhao take on Liga Dekmeijere and Diana Marcinkevica.
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