PRAGUE (AP) Canada won the decisive doubles match to secure a 2-1 upset victory over defending champion France in Group A of the Billie Jean King Cup finals on Monday. After the two nations split the opening singles matches, Gabriela Dabrowski and Rebecca Marino defeated Lara Burel and Alize Cornet 6-3, 7-6 (6).
PRAGUE (AP) Canada won the decisive doubles match to secure a 2-1 upset victory over defending champion France in Group A of the Billie Jean King Cup finals on Monday.After the two nations split the opening singles matches, Gabriela Dabrowski and Rebecca Marino defeated Lara Burel and Alize Cornet 6-3, 7-6 (6).“We should be really proud of ourselves,” Marino said.In the opening singles, the 353th-ranked Francoise Abanda rallied from a set down to upset Fiona Ferro, ranked 105th, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to put Canada ahead.“I was a little bit nervous at the beginning,” the Canadian said. “I’m happy it turned out in my favor.”Cornet tied it at 1-1 after a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over Marino.It was the second victory for Canada over France in the competition in five matchups, with the previous one coming in 1980.In Group B, Belgium beat Belarus 2-1 in another opening match played on hard courts at the O2 Arena.Greet Minnen defeated Iryna Shymanovich 6-2, 6-2 before Elise Mertens overca