(Seville) After two high-level and not necessarily expected performances, the young Canadian Marina Stakusic lost in two sets of 6-2, 6-1 against the Czech Barbora Krejcikova in a semi-final match of the Finals of the Billie Jean-King Cup, Saturday in Seville.

Facing a seasoned rival, champion of the French Open in 2021 and holder of 10th place in the WTA rankings, the 18-year-old Canadian had very few opportunities to find her rhythm, particularly in her serve, which She has only won twice in eight attempts.

Stakusic, who entered the competition ranked 258th in the world, had her best moments of the match in the second game of the second set. After losing her serve in the initial game – which also happened to her in the first set – Stakusic displayed her fighting skills.

The Canadian got her only two break chances of the match and converted the second when Krejcikova sent a crosscourt forehand out of bounds, making the score 1-1 in the second set.

Krejcikova responded by winning 12 of the next 14 points, including 10 in a row, en route to two more breaks of serve and a 4-1 lead.

Serving against a 1-5 deficit, Stakusic saved a first match point with a backhand winner in parallel. However, she gave in in the second when Krejcikova managed a nice drop shot with a crosscourt forehand that the Canadian was unable to reach.

Despite this defeat, Stakusic opened many eyes during the week. Her singles victories, first against Spaniard Rebeka Masarova in two sets, then against Poland’s Magdalena Frech in three sets, after conceding the first set, helped Canada reach the stage of the semi-finals.

Canada will try to tie the score in the second singles match between Laval’s Leylah Fernandez, 35th in the world, and Marketa Vondrousova, seventh player in the world and reigning Wimbledon Open champion.

In the other semi-final match, Italy beat Slovenia thanks to singles wins by Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini.

For Italy, which has won this competition on four occasions, this will be their first appearance in the final since 2013.

While Canada looks to advance to the ultimate showdown of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time in its history, the Czech Republic hopes to win the tournament for a 12th time.

The United States, which the Czech Republic eliminated on Friday, dominates with 18 titles.