Canada tops Italy to win Billie Jean King Cup for first time, one year after men's team won Davis Cup

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Canada gave another display of its depth in world tennis by winning the Billie Jean King Cup on Sunday, a year after its men's team won the Davis Cup.

Leylah Fernandez and Marina Stakusic won their singles matches as Canada beat Italy 2-0 to claim its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup.

Canada men's team will try to defend its first Davis Cup title later this month in Malaga, Spain.

Stakusic, ranked 258th in the world, put Canada ahead by defeating No. 43 Martina Trevisan 7-5, 6-3 for the biggest win of her career, then Fernandez sealed the victory by beating Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3 at La Cartuja Stadium.

"I'm extremely happy, ecstatic," Fernandez said. "I can finally say, ‘We're world champions,' and we deserve it."