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).
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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