Photo: BNP Paribas Open
After her compatriots bowed out in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open, world no. 21 Leylah Annie Fernandez reversed that trend on Monday night, winning her match against American Shelby Rogers in three sets of 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. It was sweet revenge for the Canadian who, in her last appearance at the California tournament, was eliminated by Rogers in the round of 16 by a score of 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Fernandez, who had to fight off nine match points in her last two matches, had no intention of repeating the same experience this time. From the start of the first set, she was relentless against her opponent, generating five break points and winning three of them to quickly take control of the match with a 6-1 opening frame.
However, the roles were reversed in set two. While Fernandez had not faced any break points in the opening set, the American managed to get an early break chance and jumped on it. She then closed the door on the Canadian to force a final set.
Known for her resilience, the Quebec native did not crumble in the face of this turn of events, quite the contrary. As soon as the action resumed, she quickly put the match back in her favour by winning the first three games of the third set to take a big lead. Interesting fact: in the first two sets, the player who was able to break the other in the second game won the set. This logic was ultimately respected until the end, as Fernandez did not give Rogers any opportunity to rally and closed the match after 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Fernandez continues her impressive run, currently riding a seven-match winning streak. However, she now has a big challenge ahead of her: she will face the formidable Spaniard Paula Badosa, the tournament’s fifth seed, the no. 7 player in the world, and the defending champion in Indian Wells. Badosa defeated fellow Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo (no. 35) in two sets of 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the Round of 16 and has not lost a set since the start of the event. She also has an undefeated record against the Canadian, having defeated her at the 2020 Auckland tournament (7-5, 7-6 [3]).
The match between the two players will be presented tonight and is currently scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.
