Leylah Annie Fernandez is through to the second round of Wimbledon thanks to a 6-1, 6-3 win over Brit Hannah Klugman on Monday, while Carson Branstine’s main draw debut ends in the first round after a tough test against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
16-year-old Klugman was Fernandez’s youngest opponent since facing 15-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the 2023 Madrid Open.
The Canadian No. 1’s serve was the difference in the first set but her delivery dropped off in the ensuing set. However, three of Fernandez’s five breaks came in the second as she secured the victory in just over an hour.
Fernandez had a commanding start against the home crowd favourite as the 22-year-old from Laval led 5-0 in the opening set after just 16 minutes.
At 5-1, 40-30, the Canadian capped off her dominant service play with one of her three aces in the match. Fernandez won 91 per cent of her first-serve points en route to taking the opening set.
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The world No. 38 began the second set in ideal fashion, with an early break. However, Klugman finally figured out Fernandez’s serve and broke back to go even at 1-1.
Later in the match, double faults in crucial spots eventually cost the Brit the match. At 3-3, 15-40, a Klugman double fault handed Fernandez the break. The Montreal-native then held and was one game away from taking the match.
In the eighth game, 15-30, two-straight double faults from the British youngster sealed the victory for Fernandez.
The Canadian No. 1 will meet German Laura Siegemund in the second round on Wednesday.
Branstine loses out to Sabalenka
Carson Branstine was unable to score the upset in her opening match at Wimbledon despite a valiant effort against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Monday.
The 24-year-old from Montreal ended the grass season with a 6-3 record, losing 6-1, 7-5 to Sabalenka in her Grand Slam main draw debut.
Branstine won the ace battle against the three-time major winner, firing seven to her opponent’s three. However, the Canadian was under quite of bit of pressure on serve, especially in the first set. The world No. 194 was only able to save two of the five break points she faced in the match.
Sabalenka came in as the huge favourite and lived up to that early, jumping out to a 5-0 first-set lead. The Canadian No. 6 won her first game in a major main draw to avoid the bagel but could not extend the set with a break, dropping the opener after 24 minutes.
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Branstine responded well to begin the second set, dropping just one point in her first two service games.
In the third game, the Canadian held her first and only break point of the match at 40-AD, but a pair of unforced errors by Branstine handed Sabalenka the hold.
At 5-5, 15-40, the 24-year-old from Montreal was put under her first bit of pressure in the second set. Branstine saved the first break point with an ace but could not avoid the crucial break on the ensuing point, allowing the world No. 1 to serve for the match.
In the twelfth game, Sabalenka powered her 17th winner of the afternoon at 30-15 to give herself match point which the 27-year-old converted on. Both players finished the match with 17 winners.
Branstine is projected to move over 20 spots up the WTA rankings after her maiden Grand Slam main draw match.
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
