SECURING A SPOT

Canada qualifies for Fed Cup

Canada secured a spot in the 2018 Fed Cup World Group II on Sunday after a pair of singles victories against Kazakhstan.

The Canadians won the playoff over Kazakhstan 3-2 and return to World Group II for the first time since February 2016.

“I am very proud of the tennis that our girls played and their attitude throughout the weekend,” Canadian captain Sylvain Bruneau said. “The girls showed that they can hold their own against some of the best players in the world. It is mission accomplished for us this weekend.”

Francoise Abanda of Montreal started the day with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Yulia Putintseva before Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., toppled Yaroslava Shvedova 7-6(1), 6-4.

Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva and Kamila Kerimbayeva beat Gabriela Dabrowski and Katherine Sebov 6-7(6), 7-6(6), 10-5 in a doubles match to end the day.

Meanwhile, in Wesley Chapel, Fla., CoCo Vandeweghe and Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Kristyna Pliskova and Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-3 Sunday to send the United States to its first Fed Cup final in seven years with a 3-2 semifinal victory over threetime defending champion Czech Republic.

The Americans will face Belarus, which won its semifinal against Switzerland, for the championship Nov. 11 and 12.

Vandeweghe won her singles match for the second straight day, giving the U.S. a 2-1 lead in the bestof-five series. Marketa Vondrousova kept the Czech Republic’s hopes alive by defeating Lauren Davis 6-2, 7-5 in Sunday’s other singles match at Saddlebrook Resort.

And in Monaco, Rafael Nadal easily defeated Albert RamosVinolas 6-1, 6-3 in an all-Spanish final at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday. It was Nadal’s 50th career title on his favoured surface, moving him one clear of Argentine Guillermo Vilas.