Leylah
Fernandez (No. 27) bounced back to defeat Diana Shnaider (No. 20) and reach the
quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open with a score of 6-1, 6-4. The
Canadian continues to perform strongly and returns to the quarter-finals of a
WTA 1000 event.
This will
be Fernandez's third appearance at this stage, although she fell short in her
previous two attempts at the 2023 Guadalajara Open and the 2024 Qatar Open. The
Canadian also breaks into the top 25 in the live rankings
Fernandez dominates Shnaider
The first
set was completely in favour of Fernandez. The 2021 US Open champion came out
highly focused, especially from the return game, as she won 56% of the points
on return. The Russian not only had a low first serve percentage (52%), but
also failed to capitalise, winning less than 50% of points on both her first
and second serves.
Read also
In this
way, Leylah managed two consecutive breaks in Shnaider's initial service games
and was already 5-0 up in just over 20 minutes. Shnaider managed to hold her
serve for the first time and despite having some break points later on,
Fernandez comfortably took the set 6-1.
In the
second set, Shnaider was more competitive than in the first part. The Russian
secured the first break and was 4-1 up. However, she was unable to maintain the
lead. Fernandez responded and regained control of the match, earning two
consecutive breaks and winning a total of four games in a row to close out the
win in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
Read also
The
Canadian will head into her next match with confidence after a strong week in
Cincinnati. Fernandez had already secured victories over Yue Yuan (No. 40) and
Elena Rybakina (No. 4). Her next opponent will be the winner of the American
match between Taylor Townsend (No. 53) and Jessica Pegula (No. 6).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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