TOKYO, April 11, 2025 (Tennis Canada Press Release)
On Friday, Team Canada got its campaign to qualify for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals off to a brilliant start with a convincing 3-0 victory over Romania at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. Ranked no.2 in the world, the squad led by captain Heidi El Tabakh is powered by Rebecca Marino (Vancouver, BC), Marina Stakusic (Mississauga, ON), Victoria Mboko (Toronto, ON), Kayla Cross (London, ON) and Ariana Arseneault (Richmond Hill, ON). With the win, Canada temporarily takes command of Group A.
No. 159 Victoria Mboko, who’s only 18 years old, got the tennis balls rolling for Canada in her very first Billie Jean King Cup showdown. In just 66 minutes, she dismantled No.211 Miriam Bianca Bulgaru in two sets (6-1, 6-4). With her first win in her first appearance in the prestigious team competition, the Canadian seals an unprecedented 29-2 record this season.
A touch of magic from Victoria Mboko #BJKCup pic.twitter.com/rMjgJYjfka
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) April 11, 2025
“When I was first called up to play for the Billie Jean King Cup team in Japan, I was very excited. I’d previously played in the junior Billie Jean King Cup for Canada, so to be here in the actual Billie Jean King Cup feels amazing. And to get my first win is even better, in front of the Canadian fans. There are so many of them that came to watch me today. They make it feel like home for me, and I’m just really happy and grateful,” said Victoria Mboko.
In the next match, No.128 Marina Stakusic battled No.88 Anca Todoni, the highest ranked player in the tie. The 20-year-old Canadian kept her cool against a tough opponent, saving 5 of 6 break points and securing 4 of 8 break points to win 6-4, 6-3. She brings her Billie Jean King Cup record to 4-1.
“I feel very relieved to get through this match. [Anca Todoni] was an extremely tough opponent. I think we played a really high-quality match, especially in the first set. So, I’m just very relieved to get the win in this one,” said Stakusic.
For the doubles contest, captain Heidi El Tabakh sent Rebecca Marino and Kayla Cross into the fray. The pair capped off a perfect day for Canada with 6-2, 6-4 win over Georgia Andreea Craciun and Mara Gae.
“I’m very pleased with the way things went today. For us, it was the best possible outcome. Vicky, it was her first time playing and she got the win. Marina went out and won an incredibly tough match, giving us the lead 2-0 which is obviously very nice. Kayla and Rebecca really played a solid doubles match from start to finish against a tough Romanian team. I couldn’t be prouder of all the girls today, really. But the job’s not done, so we got to recover, prepare and come back out on Sunday ready to go,” said El Tabakh.
Waiting in the wings for Team Canada is the host nation of Japan, which plays its final tie on Sunday. In Canada, fans can tune in live on CBC Sports on Saturday night at 10 p.m. (Eastern time) or on TVA Sports on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. (Eastern time).
