Leylah FERNANDEZ eases past Anastasia POTAPOVA into second round of Madrid Open as Ons JABEUR awaits

Leylah Fernandez is making waves and has began her Madrid Open campaign with victory over Anastasia Potapova in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 and will now take on Ons Jabeur in the second round. Given the current form of the Tunisian or lack there of, she will fancy her chances.

Fernandez who has previously been given the nickname of 'Claylah' for her prowess on the surface. A name adopted after she reached the Quarter-Finals of the French Open back in 2022, she has started off the next part of the season well. It is a good chance too given her recent form.

Fernandez was facing a player in Potapova who has shown herself to be a good operator on the surface before and given that Fernandez who last played at the Charleston Open has been soundly beaten in the last few tournaments, this will be a real confidence booster. She lost to Sloane Stephens last time around and Jessica Pegula in the second round of Miami. She has not had a run past the second round since the Qatar Open in February and so will aim to help her cause here going into a pivotal juncture of the season.

Closely matched in terms of rankings in the mid 30's, it was a break fest early on with Fernandez being broken three times on the spin. Potapova surged into a 4-1 lead but lost her serve to make it 4-2. Fernandez kept pace and when Potapova missed four set points, Fernandez went on to level, she snuck the last two games and the momentum firmly shifted.

Set two in comparison was only one break as Potapova began to fall away at 4-2 and aside from the opening game, Fernandez faced no break points against her and surged through to the second round. A good start after weathering an early storm.