07.02.2020; Biel; TENNIS – Tennis Fed Cup – Schweiz – Kanada; Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) ;
Playing in only her second Fed Cup tie, 17-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez was faced with the daunting task of competing as the nation’s No.1 in the first rubber in the head-to-head between Canada and Switzerland.
Fighting off a case of nerves early on, the young Canadian watched her Swiss opponent Jil Teichmann generate a 3-0 lead. Still, Fernandez hadn’t said her last word. Raising her game and consistently hitting 76% of her first serves, she played her way to a tiebreaker but was ultimately forced to concede the first set.
At the start of the second, the rivals each secured a break, but Fernandez began to struggle, making only 56% of her first serves, and was overpowered Teichmann (7-6(4), 6-4) as Switzerland took a 1-0 lead.
A great showing but Leylah Annie Fernandez goes down to Jill Teichmann 7-6(4), 6-4 in a hard-fought opening rubber in Biel.
An excellent learning experience for the 17-year-old Canadian. Up next: Gaby Dabrowski subs in for singles against Belinda Bencic.#GoCanada pic.twitter.com/c2KnaZid84
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) February 7, 2020
Gaby Dabrowski, who is replacing Eugenie Bouchard (left wrist injury), will now take on Belinda Bencic to try to even the score.
On Friday, Gaby Dabrowski was dispatched to take on World No.5 Belinda Bencic in the second singles matchup of the day. National captain Heidi El Tabakh designated the doubles specialist to grapple with the Swiss No.1 following Eugenie Bouchard’s last-minute withdrawal due to a wrist injury.
Dabrowski exhausted every attempt to hold out but fell in two sets (6-1, 6-2) to give Switzerland a comfortable lead. Still, the Canadian battled hard, staving off five of nine break points.
It was always going to be tough against Swiss No. 1 and World No. 5 Belinda Bencic.
Gaby Dabrowski, a late sub-in for an injured Genie Bouchard, goes down 6-1, 6-2 to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead over Canada at #FedCup in Biel. pic.twitter.com/tzKwB4Vs0F
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) February 7, 2020
The tennis balls get rolling again on Saturday, when Fernandez faces off against Bencic.