Fernandez to kick off Canada's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Latvia

Canada's Leylah Fernandez will face Darja Semenistaja of Latvia to kick off a Billie Jean King Cup qualifier in Vancouver on Friday.

Fernandez, ranked 21st in the world, comes in as Canada's top seed while Semenistaja, the world No. 389, is Latvia's second seed. Canadian Rebecca Marino will take on Latvia's top seed Daniela Vismane later on Friday.

Saturday will see Fernandez play Vismane, ranked 230, and Marino, the world No. 111, face Semenistaja. Later, Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski and Carol Zhao will take on Liga Dekmeijere and Diana Marcinkevica in doubles action.

Canada comes into the series ranked ninth in the world while Latvia sits at No. 14.

The winner of the series will advance to the 2022 finals in November.