Unforgettable Battle: Leylah Fernandez tops Elena Rybakina at DC Open, awaits potential Raducanu US Open final re-run

Leylah Fernandez claimed an absolutely epic battle against Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of the DC Open, a match decided in three tie-breaks: 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3). The 22-year-old Canadian showed resilience in crucial moments, sealing a victory that sends her to her seventh professional final after 3 hours and 16 minutes of play.

Leylah Fernandez's victory allows her to climb to world No. 27, and she'll have the chance to contend for her first ATP 500 title. The Canadian is awaiting her final opponent – who could be none other than Emma Raducanu – the player who defeated her in the memorable 2021 US Open final. However, the Brit must first overcome her semifinal match against Anna Kalinskaya.

The start was simply perfect from both players on serve. Both won their first two service games to love, reaching 2-2 without either player gaining a return point. Fernandez held onto good consistency with both her first serve (77%) and second serve (75%), and she closed out her service points with more conviction. At 3-3, the Canadian threatened Rybakina's serve, getting the first deuce of the match, but couldn't convert it into a break.

Everything extended to the tie-break, with no major setbacks for either side, and where nerves played a key role. The 2022 Wimbledon champion maintained the effectiveness she had shown throughout the set on her serve and claimed 4/5 service points, while Fernandez managed only 1/4. The first set was decided 7-6(2) in favor of the world No. 12, who showed greater efficiency under pressure.

Rybakina seized the momentum and got a break at the start of the second set. She took a 2-0 lead on her serve, putting Fernandez in serious trouble, considering both had been sharp on serve throughout the match. However, things changed as the minutes passed, and Rybakina had to save up to eight break points against her to maintain her lead throughout the set.

Nevertheless, Fernandez would get her reward at the moment of greatest tension. Rybakina was serving at 5-4 with the chance to serve for a spot in the final, but she quickly started with 0-40. The tension was palpable, and Fernandez broke her opponent to finally level at 5-5, bringing hope back to the match.

Again, everything ended up being decided in the tie-break, and the Canadian former US Open runner-up was the one who managed the tension better this time. Good service points and two early mini-breaks gave her a comfortable lead, which she closed out the set with 7-6(3), sending everything to a decisive third set.

The third set maintained the tone of the rest of the match, with both players holding serve. While Rybakina has always been one of the best servers, Fernandez's ability to keep pace with a player more than 15 centimeters taller than her was remarkable. Both players tallied 7 aces in the third set, though Fernandez was more effective with her first serve (85% vs. 76%) and second serve (54% vs. 44%).

This time, no break points were even played, and everything ended up being decided in the tie-break, in a battle that already exceeded three hours of play. Leylah quickly took the lead, with two mini-breaks putting her up 4-0. From there, she didn't relinquish the advantage and ultimately secured a truly epic victory in three tie-breaks, indisputably the most epic match of the tournament. She won 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3) to advance to the DC Open final, where she will seek her fourth WTA title and first at a WTA 500 event.

The opponent in the DC Open final is yet to be determined. In the next match, Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion, will face Russia's Anna Kalinskaya. The Brit will be looking to reach her first final since winning the title at Flushing Meadows four years ago, precisely against Leylah Fernandez. Could we see a re-edition of the 2021 US Open final?

As for Kalinskaya, she currently has two career finals, both in 2024, but is still without a singles title. This could be a big opportunity for the Russian to break her WTA title drought, considering she has a Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, played a WTA 1000 final, and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 15.