LEYLAH INTO RD 2! 🇨🇦Leylah Fernandez defeats 🇺🇸Asia Mohammed in straight sets 6-1 6-3 as Leylah and Genie both win their opening round matches today. Kudermetova for Genie and & Leylah vs 🇧🇪(13)Mertens in RD2. #CdnTennis #GDLOpenAKRON
Leylah Fernandez shines bright in Guadalajara: powers past Asia Muhammad into second round
WTAMonday, 18 September 2023 at 03:17
Leylah Fernandez made her debut at the Guadalajara Open with a victory, defeating Asia Muhammad 6-1, 6-3.
Former US Open finalist returned to the winner's circle after two consecutive first-round defeats at the US Open and San Diego. The Canadian feels comfortable in Mexico, where she has won the Monterrey Open title twice (2021, 2022) and reached the final in the 2020 Acapulco tournament.
However, world No. 74 Leylah Fernandez didn't manage to secure victories in the previous edition of Guadalajara, as she was eliminated in the first round by Belinda Bencic. But this time, the story was different. Her opponent was the American world No. 351 Asia Muhammad, who came through the tournament's qualifying rounds.
From the first set, the Canadian displayed her expertise on the Mexican hardcourts. With the score at 1-1, Fernandez won five consecutive games, including two breaks, to take the set 6-1 in just 31 minutes.
Muhammad had significant issues with her service, with only a 33% first-serve percentage, winning 71% of those points, and 36% with her second serve. These figures were far from Leylah's 70% first-serve rate, winning 88% of those points, and 43% with her second serve.
The second set saw the American stronger with her serve, but she made errors in the third game that gave Fernandez an advantage. Both held their serves without facing break points until 5-3, where the Canadian capitalized on the pressure on Muhammad and secured the break.
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The final score was 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and six minutes, with Fernandez showcasing an impressive serve and displaying good resilience in the rallies.
In the second round, she will face the 13th seed Elise Mertens, who defeated Yanina Wickmayer in the first round with a score of 7-6(2), 6-2. This will be the second encounter between the Belgian and Fernandez, with Mertens having won their only previous meeting in the first round of the 2021 Australian Open (6-1, 6-3).
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