Leylah Annie Fernandez got her hands on a shiny souvenir in Osaka after defeating Czech teen Tereza Valentova 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the Kinoshita Group Japan Open final on Sunday.
The Lavalloise’s fifth-career title bumps her up to 22nd in the WTA rankings, one spot above Victoria Mboko to become the Canadian No. 1 once again.
It was smooth sailing for Fernandez in the first set, closing out the opener in half an hour. However, the 23-year-old hit rough waters in the second as she was broken three times. To wrap up the match, Fernandez broke for the seventh time on the day before serving out for the championship.
The 2021 US Open finalist showed her experience early on, winning the first eight points of the match to go up a break. Fernandez fended off three break points in the ensuing game and held to extend her lead to 3-0.
At 5-0, the Canadian failed to convert on her first set point, but secured the bagel on the second try, firing a backhand winner.
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To start the second, both players traded breaks to keep the set level after four games. At 4-4, 30-40, Valentova painted the line with a passing shot on the run to get the chance to serve to force a decider.
Fernandez managed to break to extend the set but was immediately broken back. At 6-5, 40-15, Valentova watched the Canadian’s return sail long and the Osaka final was sent the distance.
At 1-1 in the third, Fernandez began to pull away as she won eight of nine points to lead 3-1. The Lavalloise then held to make it 4-1.
However, Valentova made up some ground, breaking in the seventh game to cut the deficit to 3-4. Unfazed, Fernandez broke back, and the soon-to-be Canadian No. 1 was serving for the title at 5-3.
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The Czech teen saved the first championship point at 40-15 after executing a perfect lob over the Canuck but, the next point, Fernandez’s serve was too much for Valentova as she clinched her second title of the year.
“I want to thank my team and my dad, who’s also my coach, and my hitting partner,” Fernandez said. “Thank you so much for suffering with me this past week, past month and past year. I also want to thank my family and loved ones back home. Without you, I wouldn’t be here. Without everyone’s sacrifices and support, I wouldn’t be on this stage.”
The Osaka champion will remain in Japan as Fernandez opens the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo against Maria Sakkari.
Feature Photo: WTA
AloJapan.com