Leylah Annie Fernandez will be battling for yet another title in 2025. The last remaining seeded player defeated world No. 51 Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Osaka on Saturday.
Fernandez cruised to taking the opener, breaking the Romanian four-straight times before serving out the set. After a drop off midway through the match, the 23-year-old rallied from 1-3 down in the decisive set to book her spot into the final. Fernandez converted 60 per cent of her ten break points on the day.
The Lavalloise was at the wrong end of a break right out of the gate but broke back before holding to go in front 2-1.
That lead soon turned into Fernandez serving for the set. The Canadian No. 2 broke Cirstea twice more and, at 5-1, Fernandez had four chances to close out the opener, finally converting on the fifth opportunity as the Romanian was unable to handle the Canuck’s serve.
In the second set, Fernandez’s closest chance to break came in the first game. The world No. 27 held two break points, failing to convert on both. Fernandez was broken in the fourth game while Cirstea dropped just three points on her delivery over her next three service games.
Serving to stay alive in the set at 2-5, the Canadian’s backhand found the net on break and set point as Cirstea extended the match.
The Romanian continued her wave of momentum heading into the decisive set, breaking Fernandez to lead 3-1. But, at 30-40 in the ensuing game, the Lavalloise chased down a drop shot and painted the line with a forehand winner, cutting the deficit to 2-3.
The shot sparked a comeback in Fernandez as she went on to win the next eight points to now hold a lead at 4-3.
Both players traded breaks which set the Canadian No. 2 up to serve out the match.
At 5-4, 40-15, Cirstea’s forehand found the net, sending Fernandez into her second final of the season.
The Washington champion will seek out her fifth-career title later Saturday, Sunday morning in Osaka, with 18-year-old Tereza Valentova standing in her way.
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
