Fernandez storms back to advance in Cincinnati

Leylah Annie Fernandez mounted a big comeback in Cincinnati, rallying to defeat Yuan Yue 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the second round of the Western & Southern Open.

The Canadian struck three aces and converted five of eight break point chances in the three-set victory, her first career win in Cincinnati.

It was a quick start from the left-hander, who took control with the first break of the match to build a 3-1, first set lead.

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However, it did little to deter her opponent as Yuan responded with some of her best form. An untimely double fault allowed the 25-year-old to even the score at three games all.

Soon, a second break of serve put the Chinese woman in control; she closed the opening set on serve, winning five of the final six games to take it 6-3 in just 38 minutes.

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The hot stretch of tennis from Yuan continued in the second, who pushed Fernandez on the back foot with her clean baseline striking. A pair of errors from the Canadian led to a break in the opening game of the set.

Trailing 2-0, the Canadian finally dug in to end the streak of seven games, holding to get on the board in the second.  

That began a change of momentum, as Fernandez started to strike the ball with more depth and precision. She broke for the first time in the set in the seventh game, and held to level the score at 4-all.

Under duress, Yuan double faulted to gift a second break to the Canadian, who rattled off the final four games to win the set 6-4 in 44 minutes.

With her new bout of confidence, the 22-year-old raised her aggression and intensity in the third.

The former US Open finalist escaped an early 0-30 hole to hold for a 1-0 lead. She would remain on the front foot from there, securing a pivotal break in the fourth game of the set to seize a 3-1 lead.

The edge in the scoreboard proved the difference as the left-hander from Laval, Quebec closed the match with a love hold, firing a forehand winner on match point to seal the victory.

It’s Fernandez’s 20^th match win of the season and her best career result at the Western & Southern Open.

She’ll face 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the round of 32 on Thursday.