Leylah Fernandez won a thrilling match against Elina Svitolina in the US Open quarterfinal. The new Canadian sensation was winning 5-2 in the third set when Svitolina found her way back to make it even and bring the decider to the tiebreak. Also in the breaker, Fernandez was leading 4-1 before Svitolina made it even again. Eventually, Leylah won the match 6-3 3-6 7-65.
Leylah Fernandez father
Leylah is coached by her father Jorge, a former soccer player from Ecuador. Unfortunately, Jorge is not with Leylah at the US Open, but they are constantly in touch.
During the press conference that followed her match against Svitolina, Leylah commented:
“Yes, I called him right after the match when I went to the locker room. He honestly told me that I put him through hell and back with this match.
But he’s very happy for me. He’s glad that I was able to fight for every point; I deserved this win. Just keep working, enjoy this win today, and tomorrow we’ll go back to work.”
Fernandez at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Now the world no.73, Fernandez owns a composed 22-15 match record in 2021. Fernandez is competing at the U.S. Open where she overcame Ana Konjuh 7-63 6-2, Kaia Kanepi 7-5 7-5, Naomi Osaka 5-7 7-62 6-4, Angelique Kerber 4-6 7-65 6-2 and Elina Svitolina 6-3 3-6 7-65.
Leylah Annie Fernandez will play the world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal. They have never played each other until now in top tournaments.
The Canadian clinched 1 title in 2021 in Monterrey.
Sabalenka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.2 (career-high), the Belarussian owns an overall 43-14 record in 2021. The Belarussian is playing at the U.S. Open where she toppled Nina Stojanovic 6-4 6-74 6-0, Tamara Zidansek 6-3 6-1, Danielle Rose Collins 6-3 6-3, Elise Mertens 6-4 6-1 and Barbora Krejcikova 6-1 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka will take on the world no.73 Leylah Annie Fernandez in the semifinal. They have never competed against each other till now in top events.
The Belarussian conquered 2 titles in 2021 in Abu Dhabi and in Madrid. Sabalenka was the finalist in Stuttgart (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix).
Sabalenka won 10 titles in her career: 7 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Leylah Annie Fernandez and Aryna Sabalenka have never faced off.
