Leylah Annie Fernandez has had Ekaterina Alexandrova’s number as of late, beating the world No. 33 for the second time in as many weeks in the Ningbo Open quarter-finals on Friday.
The 24-year-old from Laval had to come back from a set down on this occasion, though. The only break points she faced were in the first, saving three of four as she ultimately dropped the set. From then on, Fernandez turned the tide, converting four of nine break points the rest of the way to secure the 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.
The Canadian No. 2 notched her 16th WTA 500 match win of the season, which is the most on tour ahead of Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula, who are both on 14.
After a comfortable opening service hold, Fernandez soon felt pressure from Alexandrova. The Lavalloise came up against a pair of break points at 1-1, 15-40, managing to save the first before she was broken on the second attempt.
Fernandez forced deuce in her next two return games but that was the closest she was to an equalizer as Alexandrova was soon serving for the set at 5-4. The Canadian wasn’t giving in, though, saving two set points from 40-love, but Alexandrova painted the line with a forehand winner to eventually close out the opener.
Undeterred, Fernandez found a different gear in the second. The world No. 30 finally had some daylight on Alexandrova’s delivery, holding double break point at 0-1, 15-40, but couldn’t score her first break of the contest.
However, that was only a warning sign from Fernandez. The Singapore titlist this time broke from 2-3, 15-40, and had the perfect opportunity to wrap up the set on return at 2-5, love-40. Alexandrova committed one of her 59 unforced errors to hand Fernandez the second.
The Canuck didn’t take her foot off the gas to begin the third, winning her ninth-straight return point to secure her third-consecutive break and go 2-0 in front. Alexandrova managed to put an end to Fernandez’s run, saving break point at 0-3, 30-40, before holding to get herself on the board at 3-1.
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Fernandez was back on track in the sixth game as her fourth break of the match set her up to serve for a spot in the semifinals at 5-1. Alexandrova saved three match points but the Canadian sealed the contest on the fourth try thanks to her 20th winner of the night.
The Ningbo semifinals will be played on Saturday as Fernandez takes on world No. 26 Marie Bouzkova. The winner faces either top seed Elena Rybakina or Diana Shnaider in Sunday's final.
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Feature Photo: Huang Jinwen
