Leylah Annie Fernandez put up her best result in months this week at the WTA 250 Nottingham Open, but her run came to an end in the quarter-finals at the hands of Dayana Yastremska. The Ukrainian was victorious in straight sets.
Having come into Nottingham on a four-match losing streak, the Canadian picked up wins over Suzan Lamens and Cristina Busca to reach her first quarter-final since February. But in the last eight, she found herself trailing Yastremska early and never managed to regain the upper hand, falling 6-3, 7-6(6).
Despite having more chances to break in the match, Fernandez’s conversion rate cost her as she only managed one break of the Yastremska serve on eight opportunities. The Ukrainian only held two break points in the match but converted both.
Yastremska took advantage of a slow start by the Canadian to establish an early lead. In Fernandez’s first service game, the Lavalloise netted a backhand to go down 30-40 and double-faulted to gift the break to the Ukrainian. Yastremska then held to make it a quick 3-0 lead.
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The best chance Fernandez had to get back in the set came in the seventh game when she had three chances to break back. However, she sent the ball long on the first two break points and dumped a forehand into the net on the third to let Yastremska off the hook.
Even though she only lost three points on her own serve after surrendering the early break, Fernandez dropped the opening set 6-3.
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Looking to get back on even footing, Fernandez had chances to break in the fourth and eighth games of the second set, but this time it was Yastremska erasing the threats herself. On the three break points, she conjured up two big serves and a spectacular forehand winner to keep the set level.
When the Ukrainian had her chance to seize the initiative at 4-4, she took advantage. Yastremska set up a break point with a backhand winner down the line and used her big hitting to overpower Fernandez, setting herself up to serve for the match.
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With her back up against the wall as the Ukrainian served for it, Fernandez finally managed a breakthrough. The Canadian went up 15-40, double break point, and on the second, she curled a forehand return down the line in for a winner to get back to 5-5.
In the tiebreak, Fernandez once again found herself on the brink of defeat and needing a bit of magic. She lost both her service points to go down 3-6, triple match point, but managed to save all three, two on Yastremska’s serve, to get back to 6-all. However, it was all for naught as a forehand long from Fernandez gave the Ukrainian a fourth match point and this time, Yastremska overpowered the Canadian to finish off the win.
Fernandez is next expected to play at Wimbledon, although she has 163 points to defend next week in Eastbourne, where she was the runner-up last year. As of Friday, Fernandez is not entered in the event.
Feature Photo : Martin Sidorjak
