Pan Pacific Open: Fernandez and Andreescu continue return to winning ways, into Tokyo Quarter-Finals

Wednesday, 23 October 2024 at 11:07

Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu are into the Quarter-Finals of the 2024 Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo after sealing wins on Wednesday albeit both fairly contrasting.

Fernandez came through a gruelling tie through the night against Varvara Gracheva 6-0, 3-6, 7-5. She looked to be cruising to victory having gone a set up crushing the Frenchwoman 6-0. But she was hit back with Gracheva putting up a fight to seal the second set not allowing Fernandez a single opportunity to break serve.

Gracheva took the sole point to break at 5-3 and sealed the second from there leaving it finely poised before the final set which saw breaks to start but it was Gracheva initially who consolidated hers in order to take a 3-2 lead. Gracheva missed two more chances to break again going 40-30 up at 4-3. But Fernandez finally broke back to win the match sealing it 7-5 and negating the need for a potential tie-break.

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For Andreescu, it was a tad easier. She benefited from injury for Beatriz Haddad Maia who had to retire at 3-0 up for the former US Open champion. It all seemed to go wrong around the waist or lower back area when serving for the Brazilian who had a long medical timeout at 15-40 down at 1-0 down in the first set. The popular Canadian now moves on likely to a tie with Katie Boulter in the Quarter-Finals.

Daria Kasatkina is the main seed in that section and likely awaits the winner. She faces McCartney Kessler while also sitting in that section is Sofia Kenin v Clara Tauson. Fernandez on the other hand is on a collision course with Qinwen Zheng. Diana Shnaider also found her way through during the night taking down Kudermetova conqueror Viktoriya Tomova in straight sets. Qinwen, Kasatkina and Boulter all play on Thursday.

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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