Awesome Ashlyn Krueger topples Leylah Fernandez as Miami Open masterclass continues

Ashlyn Krueger has been a revelation in recent months and has continued in that same vein by seeing off Leylah Fernandez on Saturday at the Miami Open. She completed a 6-1, 7-5 victory over the former US Open finalist as she books a tie with either Zheng Qinwen or Taylor Townsend.

The 20-year-old American has equalled her career-best result in a WTA 1000 going back to Toronto last season and has now got seven top 30 victories of the year, one more than she had going into this season. For a marked difference, only Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva and Iga Swiatek have more wins.

Her serve was not broken throughout the tie against Fernandez with a winners total of 69 in all. She won against Renata Zarazua and edged out Elena Rybakina in her big win last round 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. In the previous round, Fernandez saw off Alycia Parks 7-6(1), 6-3.

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She had match point at 5-4 but got it done finally at 6-5 having saved a few break points at 5-5 so it wasn't without a late storm for Krueger but she is through. She is further up into a high of World No.34 as of this week and with Anna Kalinskaya ahead of her falling like a stone and others around this point in the ranking not rising, she will soon be towards the top 25.

Krueger joins a group of Americans firmly on the rise which has conjured up some amusing tweets that they are all the same person including McCartney Kessler who has also had a great week and is also just behind in World No.42 as well as Peyton Stearns into a current Career High.

Fernandez sits just above Krueger in the current rankings but is likely to fall further with Elise Mertens and Marta Kostyuk currently on her tail. But for Krueger who reached her first WTA 500 final this year, it is increased milestones now in what is known as the fifth Grand Slam as she moves through. Her opponent will be confirmed later this evening.

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