Canada finishes 13th place at Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Finals – Tennis Canada

The 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Finals knockout round wrapped up this past week in Antalya, Turkey with the Canadians competing in the positional playoffs.

While the team struggled in the round robin stage, placing fourth in Group C with three tight losses, they managed to find a run of form towards the end of event with consecutive victories.

Read more: Canada swept out of Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals by Great Britain

After losing their first playoff consolation tie to Korea 2-0, Canada shifted to the 13^th to 16^th play-off bracket. Opening against Egypt, the Canadians asserted themselves quickly.

Anna Tabunshchyk kicked off singles play by winning the first rubber comfortably, defeating Sara Saad 6-2, 6-3. With an early 1-0 lead, top-ranked Canadian junior Nadia Lagaev kept the foot on the gas pedal, powering past Egypt’s Judy Tawila 6-2, 6-4 to secure the tie. Lagaev and Tabunshchyk then teamed up in doubles and capped a 3-0 sweep over the Egyptians, defeating Tawila and Rahaf Mostafa 6-2, 6-3.

The victory pushed the team into the 13^th place play-off against Team Italy, and the Canadians shuffled their Line 1 to open play. Charlize Celebrini of B.C. competed in the first singles rubber and overcame a comeback effort from Fabiolo Marino, eventually defeating the Italian 6-0, 4-6, 10-5 to give Canada the early 1-0 lead. Lagaev then took over in the second singles rubber, cruising past Ilary Pistola 6-2, 6-0 to clinch the victory for the squad.

In the main draw, the Americans continued their dominance at the event, winning the Junior Billie Jean King Cup for the sixth time since 2017.

Meet the opposition: Canada starts with Germany, Nadal looms in Davis Cup semis