Leylah Fernandez and Karolina Muchova secure big wins at Eastbourne International

The action continues at the Eastbourne International with Leylah Fernandez and Karolina Muchova among the big winners on the South Coast of England on Wednesday afternoon.

Muchova was playing in her first tournament in nine months and ironically given her need for matches and game time didn't really play yesterday in taking on Elina Avanesyan. Her opponent retired injured early on meaning that she had to play her first full match back today against Magda Linette. But the former Roland Garros finalist showed that she is still to be feared.

She breezed through 6-4, 6-1 to set up a Quarter-Final meeting with current champion Madison Keys. The latter posted her first win at the fourth attempt over Anhelina Kalinina 7-6, 6-1. Keys had lost to Kalinina at Miami 2022, Rome 2022 and Rome 2023 but saved two set points in the first set en route to a defining win.

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Muchova against Linette broke the Pole in the first game with varied winners including a drop shot, a net-rush off a return and passing shots. The 27-year-old saved all eight break points and in the second set came through eight deuces to break Linette in the opening game and then built a superb lead towards the win from there.

Speaking of superb, Leylah Fernandez also impressed making light work of Ashlyn Krueger. This afternoon sees the other half of that US Open final in Emma Raducanu face Jessica Pegula shortly. But it was the Canadian who set the benchmark. She won through 6-2, 6-1.

Leylah Fernandez steadily impressed alongside Muchova in Eastbourne.

Sailing through in just under an hour and a half, she saved all five break points and converted 5/12 en route to winning. Next up now is Sofia Kenin or Harriet Dart. Fernandez likely stands to benefit with Elena Rybakina's withdrawal with that section now including the prior two. But Keys or Muchova likely await in the semi-finals.

Also through was Nottingham champion Katie Boulter who took down fifth seed Jelena Ostapenko earlier today in just over two hours 6-4, 7-5. The latter lost early on last week in Birmingham, while the Brit is brimming in confidence after another superb run to start the clay court foray. As well as success for her boyfriend, Alex de Minaur. She faces Elise Mertens or Jasmine Paolini now.

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Quarterfinals bound 🚆 @leylahfernandez defeats Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-1! #RothesayInternational

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