"She kicked my ass in 57 minutes": Leylah Fernandez returns to unfinished business as Bouzkova rematch awaits
WTA
Leylah Fernandez is one win away from reaching the final of the Ningbo Open, but her next match will bring back memories of a defeat she has not forgotten. The Canadian will face Marie Bouzkova in Saturday’s semifinal, six years after their only previous meeting ended in a one-sided loss for Fernandez.
The 24-year-old booked her place in the last four by coming from behind to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 on Friday. It was her second victory over the Russian in as many weeks, following their meeting at the Wuhan Open, and continued a strong run during the Asian swing.
Fernandez has now reached her second semifinal of the 2026 season after winning the Singapore Open in September. Her campaign in Ningbo has required plenty of work, however, with the Canadian winning three consecutive three-set matches to reach the last four. The victory over Alexandrova was another test of her ability to recover when a match starts going against her.
Bouzkova will provide a different challenge. The Czech has progressed through the draw without dropping a set, beating Kamilla Rakhimova, Anastasia Zakharova and compatriot Sara Bejlek to reach her third semifinal of the season. She also holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over Fernandez, thanks to their meeting at the 2019 Rogers Cup in Toronto.
Fernandez has not forgotten her defeat to Bouzkova
Fernandez was asked about facing Bouzkova again and quickly brought up their previous encounter, which took place when both players were still developing their careers.
The Canadian had little trouble remembering how the match unfolded, offering a blunt assessment of the experience. “I remember she kicked my ass there, in 57 minutes, if I'm not mistaken.”
Bouzkova won that first-round match in Toronto 6-0, 6-1, finishing the contest in just 57 minutes. It remains their only meeting, meaning Saturday’s semifinal will be their first encounter in more than seven years.
“She's a great player," the former world No. 13 added. "I'm just gonna go out there, compete, fight for every point, listen to my coaches, listen to their game plan, and hopefully execute it to the best of my abilities.”
The Canadian also made clear that her experience of Bouzkova extends beyond their official head-to-head record. Their encounters in practice and doubles have given her further opportunities to see the Czech’s competitive approach.
“She's a tough professional, tough competitor. She doesn't give you any free points. Every time we play, even in practice or doubles, it's a tough match.”
Fernandez explains how she turned around the Alexandrova match
Before looking ahead to Bouzkova, Fernandez had to find a way past Alexandrova after losing the opening set. “I was actually pretty proud of myself on how I didn't let that kind of deter me, and just keep fighting, keep finding solutions.”
That determination became increasingly important as Fernandez began to dictate more of the rallies. After dropping the first set 6-4, she won the second 6-2 before taking the deciding set 6-1, securing her place in the semifinals with a convincing finish.
The Canadian also explained the tactical adjustments that helped her disrupt Alexandrova’s rhythm on the slower courts in Ningbo. Rather than relying on one approach, she used different types of shots to create openings and give herself opportunities to attack.
“Knowing that the courts were slow, I tried to use different variations within my game to neutralise her, whether it was a slice, a high ball or a dead ball. I tried to get her out of her rhythm so that I could be the one attacking and opening up the angles.”
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Fernandez felt that she eventually found the right combination, particularly as she gained control of the match in the second set and carried that momentum into the third. “I finally found the, let's say, quote-unquote, secret recipe.”
Now, the challenge is to find another solution against an opponent who has already beaten her convincingly. Fernandez will meet Bouzkova on Saturday for a place in the Ningbo final, where the winner will face either top seed Elena Rybakina or Diana Shnaider.
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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