VANCOUVER — Even without one of its top players, Canada is ready to rally as women's tennis returns to Vancouver this week.
Bianca Andreescu won't be in the lineup when the Canadians face Belgium in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers on Friday and Saturday.
Andreescu, the country's top-ranked women’s player, will miss the tie after tearing two ligaments in her left ankle while playing at the Miami Open on March 27. The 22-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., is currently No. 27 in the WTA rankings.
It's a tough loss for the Canadian squad, but captain Heidi El Tabakh has confidence in the other women on her team.
“Luckily we have a lot of depth in our players," she said Tuesday. "I feel one of the advantages that we have is that we’re mentally tough and, at the end of the day, everyone plays incredible tennis."
Toronto’s Katherine Sebov will fill Andreescu's spot as the Gainbridge qualifiers return to Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum.
The 24-year-old climbed to a career-high 136th spot in the rankings this week after a loss to Swiss powerhouse Belinda Bencic at the Charleston Open on April 5.
“(Sebov's) a great girl and she’s been playing incredible tennis this year," El Tabakh said.
"She plays really aggressive tennis and she moves really well. She has an all-court game, especially indoors, I think she’s really tough to beat. And she has a lot of momentum behind her as well because she’s had a great start to the year.”
Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino and doubles star Gabriela Dabrowski round out Canada’s roster.
Ranked 50th in singles action, Fernandez reached her first doubles final with American partner Taylor Townsend at the Charleston Open last week.
Dabrowski and her partner Luisa Stefani of Brazil made it into the quarterfinals at Indian Wells last month and Marino currently sits at No. 81 in the women's singles rankings.
Belgium is also without its top player, the 29th-ranked Elise Mertens. The group competing in Vancouver consists of Yslaine Bonaventure, Greet Minnen, Kirsten Flipkens and Yanina Wickmayer.
“I’m very happy with the team that we have here," said captain Wim Fissette. "We have a lot of girls who started the year really well. I also believe that confidence is a huge factor in success in women’s tennis. And that’s why I’m really happy with this team. I think we have a good chance.”
At No. 86, Bonaventure will be Belgium's highest ranked player in the qualifier. The other three women are all in the WTA's top 100 in doubles, but all sit outside of the top 150 in singles play.
The Belgian team isn't to be underestimated, though, El Tabakh said.
The roster is full of experience, she noted. Wickmayer is a former world No. 12 and Flipkens rose to a career high 13th back in August 2013.
“All four girls are extremely tough players," El Tabakh said. "It’s going to be a tough tie.”
Historically, Canada has struggled against Belgium at the tournament, with the European nation holding a 3-0 record in Billie Jean King Cup matchups between the two countries.
Flipkens was on the Belgian squad the last time the they faced Canada back in 2009. Asked what she remembered of the meeting, the 37-year-old gave a frank answer.
“Zero, honestly,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve played 30-something ties.”
After being informed Belgium won the matchup 3-2, Flipkens said she's hoping for a repeat performance in Vancouver.
Canada swept Latvia last year's qualifiers in Vancouver to advance to the finals in Glasgow. There, the Canadians topped Italy before falling to Switzerland in group play. Switzerland went on to win the world title.
Nine qualifiers are taking place around the globe this week, with winners advancing to November's finals.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2023.
This is a corrected story. An earlier version stated Leylah Fernandez won a doubles title at the Charleston Open.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
Note to readers: Corrects 11th paragraph to note that Leylah Fernandez reached the doubles final - and did not win the doubles title - at the Charleston Open.
