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The roster making up Crew Canada offered by Sobeys on the Billie Jean King Cup has gotten somewhat bit deeper because of the addition of Marina Stakusic.
Although this marks the primary time Stakusic joins Crew Canada, her observe file from the previous couple of months exhibits she’s as much as the duty.
Although she’s at the moment within the midst of the Saguenay Nationwide Financial institution Challenger, she’ll look to make use of her momentum to take care of her sizzling streak.
Right here’s all the things you’ll want to find out about Stakusic.
Humble Beginnings
Stakusic made her skilled debut in 2019 on the W25 occasion in Denver, Colorado and continued growing all year long with performances in Saguenay, Granby, and Toronto earlier than the pandemic halted the world in 2020.
The then 14-year-old secured a number of qualifying wins in that point. She failed to succeed in the primary draw till the W60 in Saguenay the place she confronted off in opposition to Tara Moore of the UK within the first spherical.
Learn additionally: Bouchard Returns To Team Canada For The First Time Since 2018
When tennis returned to normalcy in 2021, Stakusic competed in the primary draw of a number of tournaments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. She managed to make so far as the second spherical in two tournaments, however a deeper run nonetheless eluded her.
The Ascension Begins
Losing no time in 2022, Stakusic instantly improved, reaching the quarter-finals of her first match that 12 months in Cairo. Although she misplaced in a tightly contested match to Anastasia Zolotareva, it turned clear she was changing into extra aggressive.
Regardless of a considerably inconsistent 2022 on the singles aspect of issues, Stakusic continued to impress. She reached the semifinals within the W15 in Cairo, dropping to Giulia Crescenzi of Italy and shined in her doubles’ performances.
Stakusic and her accomplice Kayla Cross took home the trophy on the W25 in Saskatoon, besting the American-Serbian connection of Kendra Bunch and Katarina Kozarov in two units. The Canadian duo went on to make the finals later that 12 months on the W60 in Calgary however fell quick to People Catherine Harrison and Sabrina Santamaria.
The Arrival
An harm on the prime of 2023 stored Stakusic out for six months, however the 12 months wound up being a breakout one for the 18-year-old who reached new heights in her singles profession together with a pair of ITF Circuit wins.
Though her 12 months acquired off to a rocky begin, together with failing to qualify for the Canadian Open, she nonetheless managed to succeed in the quarter-finals in three tournaments.
Issues modified mightily for Stakusic through the W25 in Valladolid. After breezing via her first 4 matches, she took residence the trophy after besting Anna Kubareva in three units.
One match win is sweet, however two is best. That was most likely what Stakusic was considering throughout her run within the following W60 match in Berkeley. She made quick work of her five opponents, dispatching every one in simply two units every.
Turning Heads
Stakusic’s sensible September run rapidly turned folks’s heads. The Mississauga-native was named ITF World Tennis Tour Participant of the Month following her two victories. Earlier than the primary match in Valladolid, Stakusic was ranked No. 588. As soon as October got here round, she noticed her rating enhance exponentially to No. 297.
“I’m tremendous glad and honoured to be named ITF [World Tennis Tour] Participant of the Month,” Stakusic informed the ITF. “I’m more than happy with my latest outcomes. Since I’ve been out for six months resulting from harm, it makes it much more thrilling that I used to be in a position to compete effectively and get nice outcomes. I’m very motivated to maintain going and win even larger titles.”
In 2023, Stakusic recorded a formidable 17-3 file with one walkover within the W60 in Templeton. She’s currently participating in the Saguenay National Bank Challenger this week the place she’s seeded seventh.
All Sights Set On Seville
The Billie Jean King Cup is set to begin on Nov. 7 and Stakusic, together with teammates Gabriela Dabrowski, Leylah Annie Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, and Katherine Sebov, is trying to make waves at the next degree than ever.
Following two key victories in September, she may use them as momentum and inspiration to proceed her spectacular run. With matches in opposition to Spain and Poland on the horizon, Crew Canada may have nice firepower on show in an effort to carry the Cup to Canada.
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