Déjà-vu is a wierd a part of the human existence, however shouldn’t be at all times a foul factor.
For Heidi El Tabakh, captain of Group Canada introduced by Sobeys at their upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie, she could be very a lot having fun with her déjà-vu upon her return to Vancouver.
“It actually feels so nice to be again right here in Vancouver, it’s beginning to really feel like dwelling,” mentioned El Tabakh in her pre-tie press convention on Tuesday. “It’s my second tie in Canada and each ties have been in Vancouver. It’s been nice to have the house assist and a variety of acquainted faces. It’s great. I really like this metropolis. Every part has been nice.”
Canada is internet hosting Belgium on Friday and Saturday with a spot in November’s Finals on the road. A yr in the past, the Canadians swept Latvia on the similar stage in the exact same venue, the Pacific Coliseum.
Regardless of being with out Bianca Andreescu, the Canadians are nonetheless boasting a powerful squad led by Leylah Annie Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, and Gabriela Dabrowski, all of whom have been part of the staff that dominated in Vancouver a yr in the past.
Katherine Sebov rounds out the squad as a alternative for Andreescu.
“I’ve full belief in my staff,” mentioned El Tabakh, whose gamers are coming in with momentum after sturdy outcomes to begin 2023. “I feel that it’s good to have latest outcomes. Gamers have faith, I’ve confidence in them as effectively. I feel that they make an ideal staff.”
Belgian captain Wim Fissette expressed related sentiments about his personal squad, saying “I’m actually pleased with the staff we now have right here. We’ve got a variety of ladies who began the yr rather well. I additionally consider that confidence is a large consider success in girls’s tennis and that we now have probability.”
All three earlier conferences in Billie Jean King Cup/Fed Cup competitors between the 2 nations have been gained by Belgium, however the final assembly was 14 years in the past in 2009.
Fissette acknowledged that the historical past doesn’t matter a lot, saying “each assembly in Billie Jean King Cup is separate, particular. It at all times relies upon additionally which staff you face. Clearly, Canada is a really sturdy staff.”
Learn and hear: Katherine Sebov interview on Match Level Canada
Kirsten Flipkens was a member of the 2009 squad that edged Canada 3-2 in Hasselt, the town the place Fissette at the moment resides. When requested about that victory, Flipkens admitted that it doesn’t maintain a lot place in her reminiscence.
“I’ve performed 30-something so actually if you mentioned the final time we confronted one another I had to return however I don’t keep in mind something about that tie,” mentioned Flipkens with amusing.
She requested what the rating of that tie was and when she was instructed Belgium had gained 3-2, she replied with a smile “Oh actually? I hope we get that quantity once more this week.”
Fissette chimed in, “I stay in Hasselt however I didn’t know there was this assembly. However good to know.”
So possibly don’t learn to a lot into Canada and Belgium’s historical past on this competitors.
Learn extra: Canada appears to repeat in Vancouver
All 4 gamers on Group Canada are going through the Belgians for the primary time. This doesn’t concern El Tabakh, who mentioned of her staff “we now have a variety of depth in our gamers. I really feel one of many essential benefits that we now have is that every one the women are mentally robust I feel on the finish of the day everybody performs unbelievable tennis and to have that toughness or to have that edge is what makes a distinction within the consequence.”
Leylah Annie Fernandez would be the Canadian No. 1 this week, a place El Tabakh thinks she is going to relish.
“[Leylah] has a ton of expertise and she or he’s been in that place a couple of instances already. She’s very, very mature and assured and she or he handles strain extraordinarily effectively. This gained’t be her first tie however on the finish of the day she comes out right here and she or he truly features a variety of power and momentum from the group so she positively makes use of that to her benefit.”
Just one member of Group Canada is an area in Vancouver, that being Rebecca Marino. The veteran scored two wins for Canada a yr in the past, however El Tabakh thinks Marino might be even stronger this yr.
Learn additionally: Marino Encourages Subsequent Era at Ladies. Set. Match Event
“Final yr was her first time at dwelling, I do know she was coping with just a little little bit of nerves. Will probably be a bit completely different this yr, she’s ‘been-there, done-that,’ and these ladies have a variety of expertise and so they’ve been in a position to adapt to strain very effectively. I feel she’s going to realize a variety of power from the group.”
There isn’t a query that the Canadian captain is joyful together with her staff.
“I feel it’s nice that they’re wholesome and at all times prepared to characterize their nation with delight. It truly is an unbelievable week for everybody as a result of I really feel prefer it’s very uncommon that you simply come collectively as a staff and have the identical aim versus the remainder of the season if you simply play individually. I really feel like they really feel they acquire extra confidence with every tie.
“It’s going to be a troublesome tie. However we’re up for it.”
