Fernandez through after epic battle over Pavlyuchenkova at BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells
WTAMonday, 11 October 2021 at 08:00
Leylah Fernandez has continued her epic form with a stunning victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the third round at BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells.
Coming from a set down, Fernandez won 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the end in just under three hours in the Californian desert and will now have Shelby Rogers in her sights.
A tie that produced right from the start. Fernandez looked to have claimed the impetus saving a set point and breaking for 5-5 with almost an hour gone between the pair.
Prior to this, it was a set full of breaks of serve after initially being closely fought on the holds. It started with Pavlyuchenkova going 4-3 up with the first break.
Only for Fernandez to come back and make it 4-4. This went all the way to the aforementioned 5-5 in which the Canadian could have lost it 6-4.
But despite that, the Russian returned to the foray and broke again at A-40 and served successfully for the set.
Fernandez showed fight and resolve though after going a set down. She immediately went a break down in the second as Pavlyuchenkova looked to end proceedings.
But at 2-2, she broke back. Only for Pavlyuchenkova to not claim four break point opportunities to come straight back in the second. It was a break that handed Fernandez the set going 5-3 up before serving it out.
The final set was less break laden compared to the rest of the match with Fernandez claiming a solitary one aat 3-2 up.
Two were saved though at a vital point of the match as the Russian looked to make it 4-4 but Fernandez battled through and on the second match point, she sealed it with a roar of approval as she came through an absolute battle.
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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