Adedokun Waliyu 
Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, Ont., defeated Martina Trevisan 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday to give Canada a 1-0 lead over Italy in the best-of-three championship tie at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Leyla Fernandez of Laval, Que., was scheduled to play Jasmine Paolini in the other singles match.
In doubles, Fernandez and Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski were set to team up against Trevisan and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Canada’s previous best result at the women’s team event was a semifinal appearance in 1988.
Italy is looking to win its fifth title and first since 2013.
