The roster making up Crew Canada offered by Sobeys on the Billie Jean King Cup has gotten a little bit bit deeper because of the addition of Marina Stakusic.
Although this marks the primary time Stakusic joins Crew Canada, her observe report from the previous few months reveals she’s as much as the duty.
Although she’s presently within the midst of the Saguenay Nationwide Financial institution Challenger, she’ll look to make use of her momentum to keep up her scorching streak.
Right here’s every little thing you must learn 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 Crew 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 yr in Cairo. Although she misplaced in a tightly contested match to Anastasia Zolotareva, it turned clear she was turning into extra aggressive.
Regardless of a considerably inconsistent 2022 on the singles facet of issues, Stakusic continued to impress. She reached the semifinals within the W15 in Cairo, shedding to Giulia Crescenzi of Italy and shined in her doubles’ performances.
Stakusic and her accomplice Kayla Cross took house 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 yr on the W60 in Calgary however fell quick to Individuals Catherine Harrison and Sabrina Santamaria.
The Arrival
An harm on the prime of 2023 saved Stakusic out for six months, however the yr 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 yr received 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 throughout the W25 in Valladolid. After breezing by way of her first 4 matches, she took house the trophy after besting Anna Kubareva in three units.
One match win is sweet, however two is healthier. That was in all probability what Stakusic was considering throughout her run within the following W60 match in Berkeley. She made fast work of her 5 opponents, dispatching each in simply two units every.
Turning Heads
Stakusic’s sensible September run shortly turned individuals’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 comfortable 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 because of harm, it makes it much more thrilling that I used to be capable of compete properly and get nice outcomes. I’m very motivated to maintain going and win even larger titles.”
In 2023, Stakusic recorded a formidable 17-3 report with one walkover within the W60 in Templeton. She’s presently taking part within the Saguenay Nationwide Financial institution Challenger this week the place she’s seeded seventh.
All Sights Set On Seville
The Billie Jean King Cup is ready to start 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 stage than ever.
Following two key victories in September, she might 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 convey the Cup to Canada.
