Tennis: Italy make winning start to Billie Jean Cup Finals campaign, defeat France

Italymade a winning start to their Billie Jean KingCupFinalscampaign with an impressive 2-1 victory overFrancebut hosts Spain suffered defeat by Canada on Wednesday. Singleswinsfor Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini gaveItalyan unassailable lead in their Group D clash in Seville.

Trevisan recovered from a slow start tobeatthe experienced Alize Cornet 2-6 6-2 6-2 in the opening rubber. The 27-year-old Paolini then battled back from 4-2 down in the deciding set tobeatCaroline Garcia 7-6(6) 5-7 6-4 in a match lastingtwohours and 39 minutes.

Francedid manage to get a consolation victory in the doubles as Garcia teamed up with Kristina Mladenovic to edge out Trevisan and Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a deciding tiebreak. Italyhave nowbeatenFrancefive times in their last seven meetings in the flagship women's team competition. "Tomorrow will be another day and will be very tough day, for sure,"Italycaptain Tathiana Garbin told reporters. "I think right now everything is still open."

Italyface Germany on Thursday. The home fans inside the Estadio de la Cartuja were hoping to cheer on Spain to victory against Canada. But things did not go to plan. Canada's world number 319 Marina Stakusic was far too good for 65th-ranked Rebeka Masarova in a 6-3 6-1 victory. Former U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez thenbeatSara Sorribes Tormo 7-6(8) 7-6(7) in a scrap of almost three hours.

Thursday's action will also see reigning champions Switzerland attempt to stay alive in Group A as they take on the United States. Australia will also be looking for their first win as they take on Kazakhstan.