Leylah Fernandez played a very good match against
Shelby Rogers at the BNP Paribas Open but the American simply was better 2-6 6-1 7-6(4).
The first was a very good one from both players despite the result indicating a very easy going for Fernandez. While the Canadian was clearly better Rogers had break points in 4 different service games of Fernandez but failed to use either. Contrary to that, Leylah used both she had and proved more than enough to win the first 6-2. Rogers simply struggled on her 2nd serve with Fernandez's forehand doing too much damage.
In the 2nd set, we saw very similar play from both as nothing changed much. Rogers was simply sharper and focused in rallies using the majority of the break points she had. She was also very solid on her own serve not allowing Fernandez to impose her will as she did in the first set. She won 80 % of her 2nd serves in that set.
The final set was another close one with Fernandez taking an early 1-0 lead before Rogers came back to make it 1-1. After that, both players settled in nicely winning their service games but not smoothly. Both saved multiple break points en route to a 4-4 score. Both were very good when they hit their first serve and rather poor on the 2nd serve.
After both players had massive holds towards the end of the set we ended up in a tiebreak. In it, it was Rogers who proved better early aking a 4-2 lead. The American was playing smart tennis defending very well and then counter-attacking when she got the chance. Fernandez made some bad decisions and it cost her 4-7.