US Open 2023 Fernandez fist pump

Photo: Mauricio Paiz

Leylah Annie Fernandez’s impressive week at the Guadalajara Open continued on Wednesday evening as she posted a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over American Emma Navarro to reach the first WTA 1000 quarter-final of her career.

It’s fitting that this newest milestone happened in Mexico, a country where she has enjoyed much success, including winning her first two WTA titles in Monterrey and reaching another final in Acapulco. Against Navarro, the 21-year-old Canadian was virtually flawless in every aspect of her game as she continues to show glimpses of the form that propelled her to a career-high ranking of no. 13.

READ: TENNIS CANADA ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF GAVIN ZIV AS INCOMING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

At 3-2 in the opening set, Fernandez won three straight games and continued her domination in set two. She broke in the fourth game and never looked back, wrapping up the match in just over an hour to advance to the final eight where she’ll face former Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin of the United States who beat Canadian Carol Zhao in the opening round.

This was Fernandez’s third meeting against Navarro this season. They split the first two matches in Indian Wells and Cincinnati. The Laval native also beat Navarro in the 2019 junior girls’ singles final at Roland-Garros to capture her only junior Grand Slam singles crown.

Fernandez has lost just 16 games in three matches during her Guadalajara run so far this week. She’s also into the quarter-finals of the doubles draw alongside her partner Taylor Townsend. She’s lost her only prior matchup with Kenin at the 2020 U.S. Open. They will take to the court on Thursday and the match will be shown on TSN and TVA Sports.

Tags
Popular reads